Lyudmila Denisova, the newly elected Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Commissioner for Human Rights, cannot visit Donetsk People’s Republic as an Ombudsman, says DPR Ombudsman Daria Morozova.
It was previously reported that Denisova was planning to visit Donbass and Crimea that are outside of the control of Kiev.
«I believe that human rights issues are effectively addressed in our territory. So, she cannot come here as an Ombudsman… However, DPR Ombudsman Office is open to cooperation with the Ombudsman Office of Ukraine… We have a lot of open issues, » Morozova explained. DPR Ombudsman underlined that the possibility of the visit could be considered, but only provided that she would be able to visit the parts of Donbass territory controlled by Kiev.
«The possibility of the visit to DPR by the Ombudsman of Ukraine was discussed at the meeting of the Contact Group in Minsk… If the Ombudsman of Ukraine wishes to visit our territory, then I, in turn, should have the opportunity to visit the territory of Donetsk oblast, controlled by Kiev. This process must be mutual, » said Morozova.
In April 2014 Ukrainian authorities started a military operation against DPR and LPR that declared independence after a coup in Ukraine in February 2014. According to the latest UN data, more than 10,000 people became victims of the conflict. The settlement of the conflict in Donbass is being discussed, including during the meetings of the Contact Group in Minsk, which has already adopted three documents regulating the steps to de-escalate the conflict since September 2014. However, even after the armistice agreements between the parties to the conflict, exchange of fire continues.
Crimea became the part of the Russian Federation after a referendum that took place there in March 2014. Final results showed that 96.77% of the Crimea population and 95.6% of Sevastopol population voted in favour of joining the Russian Federation. The Crimean authorities held a referendum after a coup in Ukraine in February 2014. Ukraine continues to believe that the Crimea is a part of Ukraine, though temporarily occupied. The Russian leadership has repeatedly stated that the Crimean citizens voted to reunite with Russia in a democratic way, and in full accordance with international law and the UN Charter. According to the President of the Russian Federation, the matter of Crimea “is definitively closed”.
Source: RIA
