The overview of the current social and humanitarian situation in the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic as a result of hostilities between 11 and 17 April

News Overview of the social and humanitarian situation

This week in the Republic was marked by several significant occasions.

The landmark event of last week was the exchange of detainees between the Donetsk People’s Republic and Ukraine.

10 people of our compatriots came home, who will be able to celebrate Easter holidays as free men. At the moment, all released people are taken qualified medical care. Each of the participants of the exchange further will get material assistance, and also will be supported with food and hygienic items. At the end of the medical check-up, people who don’t have housing in the territory of the DPR will have accommodations with all necessary conditions. Furthermore, the participants of the exchange will have two-week observation because of the threat of the spread of COVID-19. The recent exchange, being already the second one for the last few months, encourages on the background of the situation with the ongoing armed conflict.

At the same time, the restricted measures, aimed at the protection of the population from the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, are remained in place in the Republic. 32 cases of the infection with COVD-19 are registered in the DPR at the moment. There are no fatal cases because of the coronavirus in the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic yet. The officials of the Ministry of transport, in order to prevent the import of the coronavirus infection in the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic, regularly hold the disinfection of vehicles. The appropriate type of treatment is used depends on the kind of vehicles, its internal coating and other factors.

Moreover, to support the economic stability of the small and medium-sized business during the quarantine, the DPR Head Denis Pushilin signed the Order “On provision of benefits”, according to which the rent is established in the amount of 2,00 (two) rubles in a month for a range of lessees. Also, the benefit on the application of tax legislation in the form of determining the rates for land charge and rent for land in the amount of 0% of the normative monetary value of lands owned or rented by taxpayers is established.

The abolition of state duties of the Russian documents for citizens of the DPR by the authority of the Russian Federation was one more good news for inhabitants of Donbas. The document indicated the point of adding into the list of people those, who permanently live in the territories of the separate districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. It should be recalled, at the present time, for all other categories, it is necessary to pay the state duty in the amount of 3500 rubles for actions, connected with the acquiring into citizenship, the restoration in citizenship, the renounce citizenship, the consideration of a statement on verification of being a citizen of the Russian Federation.

It should be reminded, that the DPR Ombudsman’s Office continues work in normal mode with the exception of a public reception. Citizens can send complaints at the address: Pushkin Boulevard, 34, 5th floor, office 540.

Donetsk, the DPR, 83105; or in an e-mail to: [email protected]

“Hot line” telephones also work:

+38 071-301-73-52 – on general issues;

+38 071-404-69-29 – on issues of missing people as a result of the armed conflict.

The Ombudsman continues attentively explore and monitor current situation in the Republic, also calls citizens for being careful and follow the essential sanitary-epidemiological norms.

 

Since the beginning of 2020, the Ombudsman received 1518 complaints.

All received complaints can be divided into nine categories: personal rights – 415 complaints, economic rights – 62 complaints, social rights – 201 complaints; guarantees of human rights in civil, administrative and criminal proceedings – 185 complaints; enforcement of human rights in penitentiary institutions – 43 complaints; enforcement of rights in the field of education – 2 complaints; enforcement of rights in the field of healthcare – 31 complaints; enforcement of rights of mothers, children and families – 16 complaints, issues connected with the political and military situation in DPR – 563 complaints.

 

  1. Death toll, injuries to civilians and soldiers as a result of hostilities in the territory of the Donetsk People`s Republic

The DPR Ombudsman’s Office documents cases of violations of Donbas citizens’ rights by the Ukrainian side, including the right to life, personal integrity and freedom of movement.

Within the period between 11 and 17 April, no injuries were documented, as a result of armed actions.

Within the period between 1 January and 17 April 2020, 43 people, including 28 DPR servicemen and 15 civilians (including 1 child and 5 women) sustained injuries and traumas of varying severities as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine.

Within the period between 11 and 17 April 2020, 1 DPR serviceman died in the Donetsk People’s Republic.

Within the period between 1 January and 17 April 2020, 15 DPR servicemen and 3 civilians died as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine in the territory of the DPR.

To be specific, since the beginning of the armed conflict 4913 people died, including 81 children.

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 the DPR.

 

  1. Register of the prisoners of war, missing soldiers andcivilians

During the reporting period the DPR Ombudsman’s Office received no statements of detention.

Based on the updated figures as of 17th April 2020, there are 115 people detained by the Ukrainian side.

  • information about 115 persons is either absent, or clarified by the Ukrainian side;
  • 10 persons were deleted from the list as a result of the exchange 16.04.2020;
  • 1 person abandoned from the exchange.

On 17 April 2020 468 people are considered missing. They could have been taken prisoner in Ukraine.

 

  1. Register of displaced persons and affected citizens

At the time of armed conflict, the civilian population living in the zone of fighting and near the contact line is often affected. With the view to protect the human right to life and security of the person, and to provide assistance to victims as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine, social housing objects (dormitories, preventative clinics, health care centers).

With the coming into force of the Order of the Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic No. 137 of 24.04.2018, Territorial commissions in cities and districts are now responsible for accommodating affected civilians. They work under supervision of the Republican Commission on Resettlement of Affected Persons chaired by the DPR Human Rights Ombudsman.

There are currently 956 accommodation places in the Donetsk People’s Republic available for citizens of this category. 65 social housing objects have been opened in the territory of DPR. 54 of them operate, 11 of them are held in reserve. Since the beginning of the conflict, 7031 people, including 1618 children have been registered as persons affected as a result of the conflict. Currently, 2163 people live in social housing objects of the Donetsk People’s Republic, including 396 underage children, 4868 people live in the housing fund, including 1222 children.