Plenipotentiary for Human Rights under President of the Republic of South Ossetia David Sanakoev participated in the international scientific conference in Transnistria, which focused on development of human rights institutions in the self-determined states. The conference was organized to coincide with International Human Rights Day celebrated on December 10. During the discussion, the South Ossetian Ombudsman drew attention to the importance of security as a crucial factor for protection of human rights.
"With the development of unrecognized states, I believe that the basis for us is a safe environment in which human rights could be observed. Like all major areas of the state functioning, the system of human rights and freedoms should have solid ground. It is secuirty, the base on which a lasting peace and a strong system of protection of human rights could be built", said Sanakoev.
According to him, unrecognized states are an integral part of contemporary world politics.
"As a rule, their creation is a consequence of various conflicts, ethnic or religious", stressed Sanakoev.
He also spoke about the problems encountered by human rights defenders in their work.
"Recently, after the Georgian aggression in August 2008, we received so many calls from people who have lost their beloved ones and those whose relatives are in captivity in Georgia. We are conducting negotiations with the Georgian side on these facts. Many people returned home. Our side has already handed over more than 180 people ", said Sanakoev.
It is worth mentioning that the Ombudsman of Nagorno-Karabakh joined the cooperation agreement between the Commissioners for Human Rights of Transnistria, Abkhazia and South Ossetia signed two years ago.
