Introduction of martial law in Ukraine causes difficulties for Donbass citizens who cross line of contact, according to a representative of the DPR Ombudsman Office.
On Thursday, after the incident at the Black Sea that made relations between Kiev and Moscow more strained, a decree establishing martial law in ten oblasts of Ukraine for 30 days came into effect. It includes Lugansk and Donetsk regions and internal waters of Azov-Kerch water area. This regime provides for the possibility of temporary restriction of constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens, including the right to participate in elections, to freedom of thought and speech. Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not rule out that such a decision could potentially pose a threat of escalation in Donbass.
Appeals from citizens received lately by the DPR Human Rights Ombudsman allow for the conclusion that the decree signed by the President of Ukraine creates difficulties for people crossing the contact line. Problems arose after the introduction of martial law, which affected the operation of checkpoints on the Ukrainian side,” said representative of DPR Ombudsman Office.
Ombudsman also expressed concern about the restrictions in crossing checkpoints imposed by Ukrainian forces, “because citizens will not be able to receive pensions and other social benefits if they do not undergo identification procedure in Ukraine.”
