Strasbourg, 7.11.2008 – The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, will visit areas affected by the South Ossetia conflict from 12 to 14 November in order to review the current situation as regards the implementation of the six principles for urgent human rights and humanitarian protection.
"This visit will focus on the effective measures which have been taken to protect detainees, prisoners of war and persons in hiding" he said. "I will also continue the dialogue with relevant authorities to assess the implementation of the {C}{C}{C}{C}six principles for urgent protection of human rights and humanitarian security which I proposed in my {C}{C}{C}{C}report after the first visit to the region in August".
They cover the right to return of the displaced persons; the provision of adequate aid and living conditions for the displaced until their return home; demining efforts; the law and order in the war affected areas; humanitarian exchanges of prisoners of war, other detainees and stranded persons as well as ensuring international presence and assistance in the affected areas to address human rights and humanitarian issues.
Commissioner Hammarberg will travel to Tbilisi, Gori and Tskhinvali where he will visit places and institutions of human rights relevance, such as collective centres for displaced persons. In addition, he will meet among others the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and for Reintegration, parliamentarians, the Public Defender and representatives of international organisations.