The COVID-19 coronavirus situation remains tense. In this regard, the Government of the DPR introduced a number of measures to ensure the security of the state, protect public health and prevent the spread of novel coronavirus infection in the Republic. Accordingly, the operation of checkpoints at the state border of the Donetsk People’s Republic is temporarily suspended until a special order by the DPR Government. At the moment, the state is fully prepared to accept potential patients infected with coronavirus; tests are available to detect the disease; all competent authorities have been duly instructed. Six medical institutions have been specially equipped to provide the necessary treatment in Donetsk, Makeevka, Gorlovka, Debaltsevo, Snezhnoe and Enakievo. It should be remembered that the spread of the pandemic primarily depend on observation of preventive measures by the population.
The Ombudsman urges citizens to respect the quarantine restrictions imposed and be vigilant in relation to themselves and their families.
Unfortunately, the situation at the demarcation line also remains acute. During the repair and restoration work in the village of Yasnoe, the Ukrainian military opened sniping fire against the repair crew and representatives of the DPR in the JCCC. As a result of the shelling, an observer of the Joint Centre for Control and Coordination sustained a gunshot wound. The Armed Forces of Ukraine opened fire in violation of the previous security guarantees provided in writing. In addition, the Ukrainian side in the JCCC was additionally notified of the start of repair work through the operational channel of the OSCE SMM.
If the perpetrators go unpunished, the incident may seriously affect further negotiations on the withdrawal of weapons and, as a result, become an obstacle to achieving peace in Donbass.
In the difficult conditions of armed conflict, citizens are very grateful to those who bring peace and joy to the hearts of the people of Donbass in times of trouble. On March 27, International Theatre Day, we congratulated and expressed our appreciation to performing artists of the Republic for their invaluable contribution to the life of the state. The theatres of Donbass have always demonstrated the highest level of skill, as many prestigious international awards testify to. And although now during the quarantine residents and guests of the Republic have no opportunity to enjoy the work of our theatre companies, we still remember, honour and value those who support the culture of our region.
Since the beginning of 2020, the Ombudsman received 1,247 complaints.
All complaints received can be divided into nine categories: personal rights – 257 complaints, economic rights – 52 complaints, social rights – 175 complaints; guarantees of human rights in civil, administrative and criminal proceedings – 162 complaints; enforcement of human rights in penitentiary institutions – 40 complaints; enforcement of rights in the field of education – 1 complaint; enforcement of rights in the field of healthcare – 20 complaints; enforcement of rights of mothers, children and families – 15 complaints, issues connected with the political and military situation in DPR – 525 complaints (diagram).
The number of appeals (complaints, applications) from citizens, submitted to the Office of DPR Ombudsman as of 27.03.2020
Personal rights
Human rights guarantees in civil, administrative and criminal proceedings
Enforcement of rights in the field of healthcare
Economic rights
Enforcement of human rights in penitentiary institutions
Enforcement of rights of mothers, children and families
Social rights
Enforcement of rights in the field of education
Issues connected with the political and military situation in DPR
- 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 Donbass citizens’ rights by the Ukrainian side, including the right to life, personal integrity and freedom of movement.
On March 20th, a civilian woman, born in 1949, sustained shrapnel wound to the leg and contusion, as a result of shelling of Petrovsky district of Donetsk.
On March 21st, as a result of shelling by AFU against Donetsk, a civilian woman, born in 2002, sustained shrapnel wound to her shoulder; a civilian woman, born in 1976, sustained gunshot wound.
On March 25th, armed formations of Ukraine opened sniping fire in Yasnoe settlement against a maintenance crew, which was carrying-out some repair work at the transforming sub-station, and JCCC DPR representatives, who conducted the monitoring. As a result of the shelling, a JCCC monitor sustained gunshot wound. The armed formations of Ukraine opened fire from Berezovoe settlement, despite previous security guarantees. Moreover, the Ukrainian side had been duly informed on the repair work through OSCE SMM operative channel. Monitoring teams of the Mission also observed the gross violation by armed formations of Ukraine.
Within the period between 21 and 27 March 2020, 3 people, including 1 DPR serviceman and 2 civilians, sustained injuries of varying severities in the Donetsk People’s Republic as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine.
Within the period between 1 January and 27 March 2020, 35 people, including 21 DPR servicemen and 12 civilians (including 1 child and 4 women) sustained injuries and traumas of varying severities as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine.
Within the period between 21 and 27 March 2020, no deaths were documented in the Donetsk People’s Republic.
Within the period between 1 January and 27 March 2020, 10 DPR servicemen and 1 civilian died as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine.
To be specific, since the beginning of the armed conflict 4,906 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 DPR.
- Register of the prisoners of war, missing soldiers
and civilians
In the reporting period, the Ombudsman’s Office in the Donetsk People’s Republic didn’t receive any appeals on arrest.
Based on the updated figures as of 27th March 2020, there are 126 people detained by the Ukrainian side:
15 people whose presence in the territory of Ukraine has been confirmed. 4 people have been released as they have served their sentences; 1 person died.
116 people whose whereabouts are unknown or are pending clarification by the Ukrainian side.
This week the Ombudsman’s Office in the Donetsk People’s Republic didn’t receive any appeals on missing persons.
As of 27th March 2020, 466 people are considered missing. They could have been taken prisoner in Ukraine.
- 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 centres).
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 958 accommodation places in the Donetsk People’s Republic available for citizens of this category. Since the beginning of the conflict, 7,076 people, including 1,619 children have been registered as persons affected as a result of the conflict. 65 social housing objects have been opened in the territory of DPR. 55 of them operate, 10 of them are held in reserve. Currently, 2,169 people live in social housing objects of the Donetsk People’s Republic, including 393 underage children, 4,907 people live in the housing fund, including 1,226 children.
