Postitatud: 20 Nov, 2008 12:34
Kokkuvõte, kes pikalt ei viitsi uurida. Tundub olevat suht tasakaalustatud.
Based on its research and analysis Amnesty International is concerned that all parties to the
conflict may have committed serious violations of international human rights and
humanitarian law. Amnesty International is concerned that Georgian forces do not appear to
have adopted necessary precautionary measures to protect civilians in their 7 August assault
on Tskhinvali, using weapons known for their limited accuracy to attack areas with
concentrations of civilians and civilian objects. Dozens of civilians died and many more were
injured in these attacks, which also caused extensive damage to civilian homes and property.
The Georgian government has admitted using cluster munitions on military targets, but in
areas and at a time with a high risk of affecting civilians. Cluster munitions also create an
enduring hazard for civilians requiring operations to clear the relevant areas from unexploded
ordnance.
Russian attacks on Georgian settlements may have failed to distinguish between military
objectives and civilians, causing civilian deaths and the destruction of civilian objects.
Certain attacks by the Russian military, such as the bombing of the town centre in Gori and
other attacks recorded in this report, do not appear to have targeted particular military
objectives, raising concerns that civilians and civilian objects may have been directly
attacked. The strong evidence pointing to the use by Russian forces of cluster munitions in
civilian populated areas is also a serious concern.
Armed groups of disparate and unclear composition but loyal to the de facto administration
of South Ossetia attacked ethnically Georgian-majority settlements in South Ossetia that had
been under de facto pro-Georgian administrative control until the onset of the conflict and
were under Russian military control at the time. Militia groups carried out targeted pillaging
and arson of Georgian homes, particularly in those villages associated with the Tbilisi-backed
alternative de facto administration headed by Dmitri Sanakoev. In some cases reported to
Amnesty International by eye-witnesses Georgian civilians were also beaten and killed by
South Ossetian militia groups. These attacks violated the prohibition under international
humanitarian law on wilful killing, wanton destruction of property, and pillage. The Russian
armed forces took control of territory administered by the pro-Georgian de facto authority in
South Ossetia, as well as undisputed Georgian territory in the so-called “buffer zones”. As
the occupying power, Russian armed forces failed to ensure and protect the human rights of
the ethnic Georgian populations living there. Russian military forces did not uphold their obligation to maintain law and order and prevent looting by South Ossetian militia groups in
areas under their control, and Russia must assume responsibility for human rights violations
committed in these circumstances.
The conflict further resulted in the displacement of over 190,000 people. On the whole the
Russian and Georgian authorities appear to have responded effectively to the immediate
needs for shelter, food and water of the displaced. However, although many have already
returned to their former places of residence tens of thousands have been unable to do so, and
in the light of the deliberate destruction of their homes and property in some areas many
Georgians face no prospect of return for the foreseeable future. Providing for the economic,
social and cultural rights of those displaced by this conflict over the long-term will remain an
enduring concern in Georgia.
The fact that information documented by Amnesty International and others indicates that
serious violations of international humanitarian law have been committed by Georgian and
Russian forces, and by groups loyal to South Ossetia, demands investigation and remedial
action. Georgia and Russia are conducting investigations into alleged violations of
international humanitarian law.