Protocol of Consultations on the Regulation of the Conflict between Georgia and Abkhazia

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Country/entity: Georgia
Abkhazia
Region: Europe and Eurasia
Agreement name: Protocol of Consultations on the Regulation of the Conflict between Georgia and Abkhazia
Date: 28 Aug 1992
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Georgian Separatist Conflicts (1989 - )
The Abkhazia-Georgia Conflict (1992 - )
Much like other conflicts that sprung up in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Abkhazia conflict emerged as an ethnic conflict following heighten nationalist awareness among Abkhaz and other minorities residing in the region. In 1978, protests against the Georgianization of Abkhazia emerged from Abkhaz intellectuals. Towards the end of the 1980s, both Georgian and Abkhaz nationalists demanded independence from the Soviet Union. Tensions began following clashes at Sukhumi University between pro-Unity protestors and Abkhaz nationalists in April-July 1989. However, the conflict remained a legal conflict up until August 1992 following the 1991 elections, wherein Abkhazians felt they were under-represented. War broke out between Abkhaz separatists, supported by Russian forces and hired fighters from the North Caucus. Within Abkhazia, Abkhaz separatists were generally supported by ethnically Armenian and Russian residents. Within Georgia the conflict was exacerbated following conflict in South Ossetia from 1989 onwards in addition to political strife between the supporters of the ousted president, Zviad Gamsakurdia, and the post-coup government led by Eduard Shevardnadze.

Significant human rights abuses occurred, particularly after the capture of Sukhumi in September 1993, after which Georgian residents, which consisted of 45 per cent of the population in 1989, were faced with mass expulsion and ethnic cleansing. Russian Peacekeepers acting under the umbrella of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), were deployed on the Abkhazia-Georgia line following a ceasefire in 1994. Atrocities towards ethnic Georgian’s continued with over 1,500 deaths post-conflict. In 1998 fighting re-erupted following a flare up of fighting in South Ossetia. Again it was resolved with a ceasefire agreement. However, as of 2016 the conflict remains unresolved.

The Russio-Georgian War (South Ossetia) (1989 - )
Following heightened nationalist awareness among Ossetians and policies undertaken at the expense of ethnic minorities by the Georgian government led by President Gamsakurdia, calls for Ossetian Independence increased. After clashes broke out in Tskhinvali during a pro-Georgia protest, the conflict began to militarize. When President Gamsakurdia maintained his position after elections in 1990, which were boycotted by South Ossetia, Ossetians organised elections for their own parliament. The central Georgian government reacted by abolishing the autonomous status previously held by South Ossetia. The formation of ethnic militias and increased attacks on civilians escalated on both sides and in December 1990 a state of emergency and an economic blockade were declared. Fighting was haphazard as fighters on both sides were poorly equipped and disciplined. The Georgian National Guard was primarily formed of volunteers due to a lack of resources and as a result fighters often acted out of self-interest. Assaults on Tskhinvali by Georgian forces were repulsed on several occasions, and Georgian forces were also noted to expel Ossetian residents and destroy villages out of revenge and as a means to re-claim territory.

The Sochi agreement (1992) established a ceasefire and security corridor, as well as divided the territory between Georgian and Ossetian administration. Relations deteriorated drastically in April 2008, and following shelling of Georgian villages on August 1, the Georgian military responded in force retaking most of Tskhinvali by August 7. Russian forces intervened on behalf of Ossetian separatists and after retaking Tskihvali, opened another front in the Kordori Gorge. A ceasefire was brokered on August 12, and the Kremlin declared its recognition of the territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia on August 26. Russian forces have since strengthened their military presence in those regions in violation of the ceasefire.
Stage: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Abkhazia peace process
Parties: from the Georgian Side - T. Kitovani
from the Russian Side - S. Shoigu, A. Vorobev, A. Safronov, V. Lisenko, A. Klevtsov, B. Pastukhov
from the Abkhaz Side - V. Ardzinba, K. Ozgan

Signed by : T. Kitovani (Republic of Georgia Minister of Defence), S. Shoigu (Russian Minister of Emergency Situations), V. Ardzinba (de facto president of Abkhazia)
Third parties: -
Description: Short ceasefire agreement agreeing to the suspension of military confrontation and the movement of armed formations, establishment of inter-military communication, and instigating the continuation of maritime and air transport for the civilian and business populations, as well as and exchange of prisoners, hostages and remains and the distribution of aid.

Agreement document: GE_920829_ProtocolOfConsultationsOnRegulationOfTheConflict.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: Page 1, The sides agreed upon the following:
... 6) The Russian Federation will render humanitarian assistance to the population affected by the conflict. The Red Cross Organizations of three Sides will determine the procedure and distribution of humanitarian aid.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Other
Page 1, The sides agreed upon the following:
... 3) establishment of permanent communication between the sides in order to exchange the information and respond to the changes of situation;
Mobility/access: Page 1, The sides agreed upon the following:
... 4) securing of regular and safe functioning of air and maritime transport; fulfillment of reconciled time-table of transportation of civil population in the conflict zone and on adjacent territories.
The sides commit themselves to take responsibility on prevention of possible incidents and provocations posing a threat to the people and delivery of cargo.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Humanitarian assistance
Page 1, The sides agreed upon the following:
... 6) The Russian Federation will render humanitarian assistance to the population affected by the conflict. The Red Cross Organizations of three Sides will determine the procedure and distribution of humanitarian aid.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: Page 1, The sides agreed upon the following:
... 4) securing of regular and safe functioning of air and maritime transport; fulfillment of reconciled time-table of transportation of civil population in the conflict zone and on adjacent territories.
The sides commit themselves to take responsibility on prevention of possible incidents and provocations posing a threat to the people and delivery of cargo.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: Page 1, The sides agreed upon the following:
1) a firm commitment to stop bloodshed and secure conflict regulation through peaceful means;
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
Page 1, The sides agreed upon the following:
... 2) suspension of military confrontation and movement of armed formations from 31 August of 1992;

Page 2, The representatives of Russian federation reaffirmed their readiness to carry out the role of mediator in the conflict settlement.
The participants of consultations consider that forthcoming meeting in Moscow on 3 September 1992 is an event of special importance. Immediate cease-fire, normalization of the situation, unconditional protection of rights and freedoms of individuals will establish necessary preconditions for successful meeting.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: Page 1, The sides agreed upon the following:
... 2) suspension of military confrontation and movement of armed formations from 31 August of 1992;
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: Page 1, The sides agreed upon the following:
... 5) The conflicting sides expeditiously will hand over the wounded persons, hostages, war prisoners and dead bodies without any prior conditions.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: UN Peacemaker; http://peacemaker.un.org/georgia-protocol-consultations92

Protocol of Consultations on the Regulation of the Conflict between Georgia and Abkhazia

Sochi, 29 August 1992

Due to the developments in Abkhazia the concern and alarm are constantly raising.

Every day of military confrontation brings new suffering to the civilians and serious damage to the economy.

The situation has become complicated in the south of Russia.

The republics of region, adjacent to the conflict zone are concerned at the established situation.

Participants of the consultations:

from the Georgian Side - T. Kitovani

from the Russian Side - S. Shoigu, A. Vorobev, A. Safronov, V. Lisenko, A. Klevtsov, B. Pastukhov

from the Abkhaz Side - V. Ardzinba, K.Ozgan

stated about their position on the ways aimed at overcoming the existing situation.

The sides agreed upon the following:

1) afirm commitment to stop bloodshed and secure conflict regulation through peaceful means;

2) suspension of military confrontation and movement of armed formations from 31 August of 1992;

3) establishmentofpermanentcommunicationbetweenthesidesinordertoexchange the information and respond to the changes of situation;

4) securingofregularandsafefunctioningofairandmaritimetransport;fulfillmentof reconciled time-table of transportation of civil population in the conflict zone and on adjacent territories.

The sides commit themselves to take responsibility on prevention of possible incidents and provocations posing a threat to the people and delivery of cargo.

5) The conflicting sides expeditiously will hand over the wounded persons, hostages, war prisoners and dead bodies without any prior conditions.

6) TheRussian Federationwill render humanitarian assistance to the population affected by the conflict.

The Red Cross Organizations of three Sides will determine the procedure and distribution of humanitarian aid.

The representatives of Russian federation reaffirmed their readiness to carry out the role of mediator in the conflict settlement.

The participants of consultations consider that forthcoming meeting inMoscowon3 September 1992 is an event of special importance.

Immediate cease-fire, normalization of the situation, unconditional protection of rights and freedoms of individuals will establish necessary preconditions for successful meeting.

Signed by:

T. Kitovani, S. Shoigu, V. Ardzinba