The overview of the current social and humanitarian situation within the territory of the Donetsk People`s Republic as a result of hostilities between 12 and 18 November, 2016

 

 

The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction,

is the first and only object of good government.

Thomas Jefferson

Wise and socially oriented economic policy that would promote social security of all social groups is meant to be one of the main objectives of every government. This economic policy is to be implemented through the actual actions of a state in social politics, which covers all areas of economic activity within the country. The employment regulation and promotion of highly skilled and productive labour is one of the most important dimensions of the state`s activity areas, that itself leads to the national income rise. The social policy of a state is meant to be integral by its nature.

Every democratic state constitutionally declares itself as a socially oriented one. The socially oriented state is obliged to pursue a multidimensional and effective social policy by virtue of its status.

Obligations of the social state are based on the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other UN instruments recognizing human person as the central subject of the development process, its main participant and beneficiary. The concept of sustainable development considers education, science and culture to be the most important components of a national capital. Prioritization of their development is considered crucial for economic growth.

Social policy of the state is one of the areas of macroeconomic management, designed to ensure the social stability of society. The matter of social policy lies in maintaining relations between social groups, society strata, ensuring better welfare, the higher standard of living, creation of social safety net in forming economic incentives for participation in social production.

The absence of a competently designed strategy for social policy leads to social discontent and, as a result, mass public protests. This week Ukraine was swept by a wave of popular protests. The policy, pursued by Kiev authorities, causes impoverishment of population:  heavy prices on public facilities, vulnerability of the banking system, instability and lack of confidence to the national currency, high prices on essential commodities, low salaries – all this makes people protest and demand that the authorities provide guarantees for their social rights. Being aware of these protests, the government decided not only to ignore the demands, leaving people alone with the problems, but also to use the situation to accuse the protesters of participation in destabilization of the state. Do Kiev authorities really have to fight with mythical enemies to demonstrate the effectiveness of their policy? In 2014, all residents of Donbass region, who voiced position of disagreement, became those enemies. The fight with the “enemy” resulted into the so-called “anti-terrorist operation” that has claimed thousands of lives and broken millions of destinies.

Now Ukrainian government barriers itself from the protestors with high fences and thousands of civil servants of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, whilst the illegal government found defense in the army, that obeys criminal orders. Whom do you defend from? Your own people? Would not it be wiser to start negotiating and take joint action to fulfill a plan that could help elaborate methods, which would guarantee respect to all social rights of citizens instead of ignoring their problems and permanently throwing sops.

The rights and freedoms are patronized by the Ombudsman and her Office in the Donetsk People`s Republic. Thus, upon violation of human rights, anyone can appeal to the Ombudsman or to register for personal meeting.

Citizens can apply to the Ombudsman in any suitable way. Now, the majority of applications are still verbal and submitted through personal reception either with the Ombudsman or the heads of the Office, addressing the Public Complaints and Appeals Department, via hotlines and via web-reception on the Website of the Ombudsman. There is a possibility to file a written complaint that may be submitted either in person or via e-mail. More than 6312 applications were received since the beginning of 2016. In the period of work between 12 and 18 November 2016, 26 persons have visited the Ombudsman in person, 47 of the claims were accepted by the Appeals department 56 calls were made via hotlines. 25 applications were received via e-mail, 8 written appeals were taken into consideration, 9 – have been reviewed among those received earlier, 37 citizens were provided with legal counseling.

All appeals received can be divided into four categories: violations in criminal law – 285 appeals, violations in civil law– 341 appeals, administrative and legal violations against the DPR citizens – 40 appeals, social and humanitarian issues – 5646 appeals (diagram 1).

 

 

 

The number of appeals (complaints, applications) from citizens,  submitted to the Office of DPR Ombudsman as of 11.11.2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

Among all incoming correspondence to the Ombudsman of DPR, the one which deals with the issues of exercise of social rights of citizens and violations of these rights is the most frequent.  These issues are: pension and social payments – 668 appeals, temporary accommodation – 839 appeals, the order of a complaint submission and paperwork in case of property destruction – 175 appeals, humanitarian assistance – 541 appeals, employment – 330 appeals, paperwork on travelling documents –54 appeals, search of the missing – 257 appeals, loss of IDs   – 265 appeals, housing issues – 266 appeals, temporary residence permit – 374 appeals, other social and humanitarian issues – 1877 appeals (diagram 2).

 

 

The number of appeals (complaints, applications) from citizens on social and humanitarian isses, received by the DPR Ombudsman`s Office as of 11.11.2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The majority of complains are traditionally received from Donetsk, by territory (Diagram 3).

 

The number of appeals (complains, applications) from citizens, received by the DPR Ombudsman`s Office as of 11.11.2016

 

 

 

 

 

1. Statistics and analysis of destroyed infrastructure objects

This week the front line of the Donetsk People`s Republic was subjected to attack of the Ukrainian side almost every day. The Ukrainian forces deliberately destroy objects that provide citizens of the Republic with water, electricity and gas. They also target other infrastructure objects.

On 15 November, as a result of shelling from Ukrainian side an electric power line was damaged, which left all Novoazovsk region without electricity, there also was no gas supply, because the pipe was damaged.

As a result of a night-time shelling by Armed Forces of Ukraine on 17 November in Sakhanka village of Novoazovsk region, the post office and canteen buildings were damaged.

On 18 November, Sergeyevka village of Novoazovsk region was subjected to

mass fire. As a result, it was left without electricity.

As of August 17, 2016 more than 10956 infrastructure objects were partly destroyed (damaged) as a result of hostilities.

More than 6671 objects have been destroyed in Donetsk, 262 units in Debaltsevo, 477 units in Gorlovka, 68 units in Dokuchayevsk, 279 units in Yenakievo, 91 units in Zhdanovka, 31 units in Kirovskoye, 1032 units in Makeyevka, 54 units in Snyezhnoye, 118 units in Torez, 738 units in Khartsysk, 74 units in Shakhtyorsk, 563 units in Yasinovataya, 276 units in Amvrosyevka region, 3 units in Volnovakha region, 24 units in Maryinka region, 17 units in Novoazovsk region, 52 units in Starobeshevo region, 93 units in Telmanovo region, 33 units in Shakhtyorsk region.

Destroyed objects by branches:

– 5941 houses;

– 760 power lines and points of distribution of electricity;

– 171 heating supply facilities;

– 46 water supply facilities;

– 2669 gas supply facilities;

– 11 wastewater and sewerage facilities;

– 97 healthcare facilities;

– 469 general educational institutions (schools, kindergartens);

– 54 vocational and technical educational institutions;

– 54 higher educational institutions;

– 25 physical and sport education institutions;

– 53 cultural institutions;

– 221 road and transport infrastructure objects;

– 58 industrial objects;

– 88 trade objects;

– 239 objects in other spheres.

 

According to the official data as of November 11, 2016 there are 2728 objects of governmental and communal ownership damaged, 412 – rebuilt and 2316 – are to be rebuilt.

 

2. Estimates of mortality, wounds to civilians and soldiers as a result of hostilities in the territory of the Donetsk People`s Republic.

Unfortunately, complete ceasefire stipulated in Minsk Agreements has not been achieved. The situation on the DPR frontlines is still tensed. This week, the checkpoints on delimitation line have been targeted by Ukrainian forces again.

Thus, on November 11, Ukrainian forces opened fire against the territory of Cheliuskintsev coalmine, Pertovskiy region of Donetsk. One of the shells hit a ventilation shaft; 134 individuals were in the accident zone. Fortunately, there were no victims and casualties.

On November 17, as a result of shelling of Kuibyshev region of Donetsk, an explosive device got to the territory of Hospital №21, where people were. By good fortune, no victims reported.

The DPR Ombudsman`s Office continues to document cases of human rights violations against Donbass citizens: right to life, right to security of a person, right to inviolability of the home.

On 11 November as a result of shelling in Uglegorsk region, a DPR serviceman of 39 years old sustained shrapnel wound to the lower third of his left thigh.

On 12 November a DPR serviceman of 32 years old sustained a mine-blast trauma, open brain injury, penetrating wound to the chest due to the hostilities in Bezymennoye village, Novoazovsk region.

A DPR serviceman of 37 years old sustained a gunshot wound as a result of provocative fire against Trudovskiye bus station, Donetsk.

On 13 November, as a result of hostilities in Sakhanka village, Novoazovsk region, a DPR serviceman of 30 years old sustained mine-blast trauma, gunshot perforating wound of the upper third of his right shoulder, shoulder girdle and neck.

On 16 November as a result of careless handling of an explosive device, a civilian man of 47 years old sustained a concomitant mine-blast injury, traumatic amputation of the right hand, open fracture of the right thigh, multiple skin-deep shrapnel wound of the thigh, chest and stomach.

 

Within the period between 11 and 17 November, 2016, 5 people were injured due to the armed aggression of the Ukrainian forces Among them: 4 DPR servicemen and  civilian man.

Within the period between 12 and 18 November, 2016, 4 DPR servicemen and 1 child born in 2000 as a result of Ukrainian aggression in the DPR territory. The child came under fire by the Armed Forces of Ukraine not far from Yasnoye village near Dokuchaevsk as he was trying to cross the delimitation line in a roundabout way of the checkpoint, South-West of the Republic.

Within the period between 1 January and 17 November, 2016, 350 persons sustained injuries of various severities in the territory of the DPR. Among them, there were 140 DPR servicemen and 210 civilians, including 16 children.

To be specific, since the beginning of the armed conflict   4250 persons died. Among them, there were 591 women and 3659 men, including 74 children under eighteen.

Officially confirmed information on individuals, who have been wounded since the beginning of the conflict continues to be reported to the Ombudsman’s Office in DPR. The information is being processed at the moment and it will be included into general statistics of the injured individuals.

 

3. Register of the prisoners of war, missing soldiers

and civilians

The undeclared war, unleashed by the bloody Kiev regime in April 2014, divided the territory of Donbass into two parts. The Government of the Donetsk People`s Republic considers life, security and dignity of a person as the prime values. The situation is absolutely opposite on the territory of Donetsk oblast, temporarily controlled by Ukrainian government: people cannot enjoy any rights and freedoms there, each resident of the area is guilty for thinking unlike the official position of the illegal government. Anyone may be arrested there without any testimony, just for thinking independently.

The policy of lynching the dissenters has repeatedly drawn the attention of international human rights organizations. The Ukrainian side, however, continues to publicly and demonstratively “punish” for freedom of speech and thought.

In ancient times, there was a demonstrative “witch hunt” – prosecution of people suspected of witchcraft – during the Inquisition. In fact, this was suspicion of dissent. These actions were both the ability to lynch the dissentients and the way to keep the population in fear, to control its actions.

It has been 4 centuries since the days of the Inquisition passed, but the idea of total control over the freedom of thought of the citizens and prosecution with a view to lynch the undesirables has not disappeared.

This week, Kiev authorities sent “Sokol”, special division of Ministry of Internal Affairs, to Krasnogorovka, temporarily governed by them, to identify the supporters of the Donetsk People’s Republic among locals. The demonstrative clearing operation of local residents, who live on the front line, indicates their attitude to Donbass citizens. Perhaps, for Kiev authorities, it is easier to accuse their citizens of mythical separatism, than provide them with appropriate living conditions, where no one would complain about social policy of the state.

This week, the DPR Ombudsman`s Office was reported on applying physical force to a political prisoner, who is being kept under the custody in remand prison in Poltava. As the Office was informed, on October 29, 2016, the detainee sustained injuries due to applying physical force: a jaw displacement, nasal and ribs fracture, his teeth were beaten out. In the prison hospital, he was made an X-ray, which confirmed damage to the front part of the skull, dental bridges and ribs.

The “Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War” of 12 August 1949 guarantees, that the individuals, detained in the process of hostilities, shall receive humane treatment in all circumstances, without any adverse distinction founded on race, colour, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria. With the regard to this legal document and the Universal Declaration for Human Rights, a complaint was prepared to submit to an international organization for human rights to take action within the framework of its existing mandate.

This week, the DPR Ombudsman`s Office received no appeals on capture or missing persons.

901 persons are now being kept by the Ukrainian side in detention facilities.

It`s necessary to specify that 488 persons are considered missing. Hypothetically, they might be in Ukrainian captivity.

The DPR Ombudsman`s Office will no longer publicly categorize the detainees by “serviceman”, “arrested for political reasons”, “civilian irrelevant to the conflict” due to safety considerations.

 

4. Register of forcibly displaced persons.

The term “internally displaced persons” is used in international practice. It sounds rather cold and indifferent; it doesn`t reflect the essence of the problem, that people-hostages of war had faced with. Actually, there are human lives behind this term; there are destinies that has changed forever. As the conflict, provoked by the Ukrainian side, started, more and more citizens had to change their place of residence to save their lives and their relatives` ones. Many lost their homes. Now IDPs must get used to new environment, to tackle new challenges that arise every day.

Those people, who have to change their place of residence, mostly stay in the territory of the DPR. They feel themselves more psychologically supported and safe here, rather than on the other side of the conflict. The vast majority of IDPs are women and children, whose fundamental rights are more likely to be violated.

The IDPs, as well as other social groups, are entitled to human rights, based either on international documents dedicated to human rights or common law. Besides, they are entitled to the right to different forms of protection within the Framework of International Humanitarian Law as well as the other social groups in the event of armed conflict. Thus, the procedure for treatment of the warfare victims is prescribed in the Fourth Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949 “For the Protection of War Victims”.

Since 2014 the issue of providing assistance to forcibly displaced persons, who have become victims of the conflict, have been a concern of the DPR Ombudsman`s Office under the authority of Daria Morozova. There is a group of psychologists, who help people master their fears and adapt to new environment.  More than 6 000 citizens of the Donetsk People`s Republic received psychological counseling since December 2015.

15 Temporary Accommodation Centres (TACs) have been opened in the Donetsk People’s Republic. 13 of them function today. Among them: 7 are in Donetsk, 3 are in Makeyevka, 2 are in Khartsysk, 1 is in Zugres.

1327 IDPs now live in temporary accommodation of the Office, including 261 underage children. Since the beginning of the conflict 4856 referrals for temporary accommodation have been issued. During the period of work between 12 and 18 November, 2016, 55 persons have applied to the Ombudsman’s Office on the issues related to internally displaced persons, 12 of them were accommodated in TACs of the Ombudsman`s Office. Among them: 10 persons – in Donetsk, 1 – in Makeyevka, 1 – in Shakhtyorsk.

There are currently 1378 housing spots available for IDPs. Among them: 1247 – in DPR Temporary Accommodation Centres (including TACs of Ombudsman`s Office); 324 – in TACs of the Ombudsman`s Office, 131 – in  housing fund of the DPR.

It is necessary to remind that there are 8201 persons, including 2115 children under the age of eighteen registered since the beginning of the conflict. 69 temporary settlements have been established within the territory of DPR, 58 of them operate today, 10 of them are held in reserve. Currently, 2987 individuals live in the centres, including 567 underage children, 5214 persons live in the housing fund of DPR, including 1548 children under eighteen.

 

5. Employment of DPR citizens

A person can only feel absolutely safe if he/she is able to live in dignity. If citizens have stable income, they can plan their future and improve their environment. Apart from that, every individual who contributes to the development of his state considers himself/herself to be an important social unit, feels as an integral part of a whole. This is called personal fulfillment, which is an essential component of life of every individual. Everyone makes efforts to use their potential to the full extent, to unlock and exercise their talents.

For its part, every government makes every effort to provide its citizens with the ability to work. There is the so-called right to work, legislated in the constitutions of most countries. The right bounds the state not only to ensure employment, but also to provide people with safe conditions for work, to give remuneration no less than the minimum wage as determined by law.

Likewise, the Donetsk People`s Republic strongly contributes to the exercise of the right to work for its citizens. The mission of organizing employment of DPR citizens is shouldered by the Republic Employment Center. The work includes providing assistance in acquiring suitable place of employment, workers placement, including the process of training and retraining.

Donetsk Centre of Vocational Education of the Republic Employment Centre organises regular free public workshops to train practical skills, such as work with personal computers; technique and mechanization of trade accounts (work with cash register machines); fundamentals of entrepreneurship etc. The number of 601 persons has participated in those seminars since 2016.

The Republic Employment Centre is the main state organ responsible for providing jobs to citizens. According to their data, 30.8 thousands of vacancies were available in the common database between 01.01.2016 and 18.11.2016. Between January 1 and November 18, 2016, there were 52.2 thousand individuals who seek for job, registered in the Republic Employment Centers. Among them: 40.7 thousand have been employed (20.1 of them – on permanent positions, 20.6 – temporarily).