The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague rejected Georgia's request to prosecute Russia for violating its territorial integrity in the breakaway region of South Ossetia during the conflict that killed hundreds and drove thousands of others from their homes two months ago.
The request was a part of an ethnic cleansing suit filed against Russia after Moscow achieved a crushing victory in the five-day war that killed hundreds of Ossetians and drove thousands of others from their homes in August.
Taking a neutral stand, the ICJ ordered both the countries to refrain from any further acts of war and racial discrimination, prevent the violation of human rights, and facilitate humanitarian assistance "within South Ossetia, Abkhazia, and adjacent areas in Georgia."
In its ruling on Wednesday, the ICJ observed that the residents in South Ossetia and Abkhazia were still at risk of human rights violations.
In the suit filed on August 15, Georgia accused Russia of violating the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD). It also requested the World Court to investigate "ethnic cleansing conducted in Georgia by Russia from 1993 to 2008."
Russia has rejected all allegations and says it entered South Ossetia to protect the civilian population from violence committed by the Georgian Army.
The ICJ, based in Hague in the Netherlands, is empowered to rule on disputes between nations. However, its judgments are not legally binding.
From September 8-10, both the countries presented evidence before the court to substantiate their respective positions.
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