Pensioners residing in the DPR territory who cross the contact line in order to receive payments are more and more often detained by the Ukrainian side. This was announced by DPR Human Rights Ombudsman Daria Morozova at the today’s press conference hosted by DAN Press-centre.
“Detention of peaceful citizens in the territory of Ukraine is a common practice, which demonstrates indiscriminate exactions by staff of Ukrainian law-enforcement agencies, said DPR Ombudsman. A betrayal, a post in social networks or disapproval of actions of Ukrainian government may lead to detention. There are more and more cases of pensioners being detained as they cross the contact line in order to receive social payments or pension.”
Morozova added that staff of security services of Ukraine deny detainees’ right to contact their relatives, so the whereabouts of detainees are often unknown. Also, cases of illegal detention by Ukrainian special services are often documented by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, she highlighted.
It should be added that as of February 2nd of this year 302 persons continue to be detained by the Ukrainian side, including 84 of those whose presence in the territory of Ukraine had been confirmed; and 218 persons whose whereabouts are unknown or are being clarified by the Ukrainian side, according to the DPR Ombudsman Office. Also, 445 persons are considered missing. Hypothetically, they might be in capture.
