Today, we commemorate the 18th anniversary of the August 2008 war, when russia launched its military aggression against Georgia. Eighteen years later, the consequences of this illegal war continue to shape the lives of thousands of people who were forced from their homes, separated from their families and deprived of their fundamental rights.

We remember all those who lost their lives and stand in solidarity with every victim of Russia’s aggression.

The occupation of Georgia’s regions of Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region/Samachablo remains a blatant violation of international law, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, and the principles upon which peace in Europe is built. Occupation can never become normal. Time does not legitimise aggression.

 

JEF Europe condemns the ethnic cleansing committed against the Georgian population, the systematic violations of human rights, forced displacement, illegal detention, the continued borderisation process, and the numerous documented war crimes committed during and after the conflict. These crimes cannot be forgotten, denied or ignored. Those responsible must be held accountable.

 

We reject all attempts to legitimise russia’s occupation through the use of narratives designed to undermine Georgia’s sovereignty. We do not recognise the so-called independence of Abkhazia or the Tskhinvali Region. These are internationally recognised territories of Georgia under Russian occupation and they must be referred to accordingly.

 

The international community cannot continue to treat frozen conflicts as acceptable realities. Rrussia must face significantly stronger political, diplomatic and economic consequences for its continued violations of international law. The international response to russia’s aggression against Georgia was insufficient. The absence of decisive accountability emboldened the Kremlin to continue its imperial ambitions. The illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 did not happen in isolation, they followed years of inadequate international action against repeated acts of aggression.

Appeasing an aggressor has never secured peace. It has only encouraged further violence.

Europe must finally understand that defending Georgia means defending the entire European security order. Every occupied village in Georgia, every family displaced by russian aggression and every violation of international law weakens the security of our continent.

 

We call on European governments and democratic partners to:

• strengthening and expanding sanctions against the russian federation;
• Maintaining  russia’s diplomatic isolation until it fully complies with international law;
• refusing any political or economic normalisation that legitimizes  the occupation of Georgian territories;
• maintaining a firm policy of non-recognition of the russian occupation authorities in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali Region;
• Supporting international investigations into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during and after the 2008 war;
• pursuing mechanisms ensuring accountability, justice for victims and reparations for the damage caused by russia’s continued aggression;
• intensifying political, financial and security support for the Georgian people and their European future.
• Maintaining accurate historical understanding of the events by recognising the date of starting of the active war as the 7th of August and not the 8th, which is part of russia’s propaganda
• rejecting terminology that legitimises occupation or separatist narratives. We encourage European institutions, governments, media outlets and international organisations to use “Tskhinvali region” or “Samachablo” instead of South Ossetia, the terms that reinforces narratives promoted by the occupying power including Soviet Union’s propaganda
• Provide concrete support to Georgia in increasing its self defense capabilities against future Russian aggression 

 

Peace cannot exist without justice.

Justice requires accountability.

Justice requires the end of occupation.

Justice requires the restoration of Georgia’s full territorial integrity.

 

On this anniversary, JEF Europe once again stands with the people of Georgia. We reaffirm our commitment to a Europe where borders cannot be changed by force, where international law is respected, and where no nation is left alone in the face of aggression.

 

გაუმარჯოს თავისუფალ, ერთიან და ევროპულ საქართველოს!