ECHR orders Russia to pay over €253 mln to Georgia for human rights violations after 2008 war

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that Russia must pay more than €253 million in compensation to Georgia for systematic human rights violations stemming from the tightening of border controls following the 2008 war.

The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, concerns Phase IV of the Georgia v. Russia case. According to the Court’s decision, the compensation was intended for more than 29,000 victims affected by the so-called “borderization” process - the installation of fences, barbed wire, and other barriers along the occupation lines in Abkhazia and South Ossetia/Tskhinvali region.

In its earlier 9 April 2024 judgment, the Court found that Russia had committed systematic violations of the European Convention on Human Rights, including:

• Excessive use of force,
  
  

• Inhumane and degrading treatment,
  
  

• Unlawful detentions,
  
  

• Illegal restrictions on freedom of movement,
  
  

• Denial of access to homes, land, and family members, and
  
  

• Refusal to provide education in the Georgian language.
  
  

The Court reaffirmed that, despite Russia’s withdrawal from the Council of Europe, the Committee of Ministers continued to supervise the execution of judgments related to events that occurred before 16 September 2022, when Russia’s membership formally ended.