Botchorishvili Addresses UN on Human Rights and Occupation
By Messenger Staff
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Georgian Dream Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili addressed the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council, warning that global human rights principles are being undermined by political agendas. In her speech, she detailed Georgia's domestic progress while calling attention to the ongoing challenges in the country's occupied territories.
"Universal principles of human rights are increasingly challenged today-not only due to conflicts and occupations, but also due to attempts to use international organizations as instruments of political pressure and politicize human rights for narrow goals," Botchorishvili said.
Botchorishvili argued that Georgia has seen significant institutional growth over the last decade despite regional security threats. She pointed to international rankings and legal data to support this claim, noting an "85% reduction in the number of cases filed with the European Court of Human Rights".
Linked human rights directly to economic stability, she stated that "human dignity begins with ensuring economic opportunities and social justice," adding that poverty in Georgia has dropped from 30% to 10% over the past ten years, attributing the shift to "sustainable economic growth and the implementation of targeted social programs."
Botchorishvili further listed reforms aimed at women's rights, combating violence, and improving inclusivity for persons with disabilities.
A major portion of the address focused on the regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali. Botchorishvili reminded the council that these "integral parts of the territory of Georgia" remain occupied by the Russian Federation.
She described a dire human rights situation for those living in these areas, citing "limited fundamental freedoms" and ongoing "cases of illegal detentions, ill-treatment and ethnic discrimination." Regarding broader regional security, she stated that Georgia "firmly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine" and remains committed to an international order based on the UN Charter.
Botchorishvili concluded by reaffirming Georgia's support for the "universality and interdependence of human rights," pledging that the country will continue to support "international efforts to protect human dignity."
