Russia Georgia

Peacekeeping Forces

* Russia attempted to justify the invasion by arguing that they were trying to protect their peacekeeping forces and citizens. However, there was no record of a military clash between Georgian forces and peacekeepers Prior to the Georgia's military operation which was in response to Russian invasion.

Territorial Integrity

* By the military operation in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Russia has violated Article 2(4) of the UN Charter which requires all its members to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity.

* Friendly Relations Declaration of 1970 acknowledges territorial integrity

Sochi Agreement

* Bringing in of Russian military forces also violated Art 2 of Sochi Agreement which requires demilitarization of all Russian troops and removal of all Russian troops not included in the peace keeping force

Citizens

* As pointed out by the ICJ in the Nottebohm case (Liechtenstein v. Guatemala) a national must prove a meaningful connection to the state in question.

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* ICJ started considering the case in 8th September 2008

Georgia argues that Russia has

* Violated 1965 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination;

* Conducting violent discriminatory acts by armed forces with separatist militia

* Invasion of Georgian territory

* attempts to change the borders of an independent country

* Strengthening of Russian military presence in the Georgian Province of South Ossetia

Sochi Agreement in 1992

* Art 2 required demilitarization of all Russian troops and removal of all Russian troops not included in the peace keeping force

* No law authorized Russian Military Actions or even presence, peacekeeping or otherwise, on Georgian territory outside the conflict zone

Use of Force and Territorial Integrity

* Article 2(4) of the UN Charter requires all its members to refrain in their...