The overview of the current social and humanitarian situation in the territory of the Donetsk People`s Republic as a result of hostilities between 24 and 30 August 2019

Donbass is the land of hardworking and courageous people, but it’s also the land of real heroes who are ready to defend the Motherland and devote themselves to serving the people. Thanks to their dedication, the citizens of the Republic can be proud of their homeland and be confident about their future. They will always feel great respect to the memory of their Heroes.

On August 30, citizens and the leadership of the Donetsk People’s Republic gathered to honor the memory of the Hero of the DPR, People’s Artist of the USSR Iosif Kobzon.

For Donbass residents, Iosif Davydovich was not only an outstanding cultural figure, but also a defender, a patron, a model of devotion and love for his Motherland. He possessed a well-deserved authority and outstanding organizational skills, in peacetime he always supported compatriots in their creative and professional endeavors, and acted as a philanthropist. In the context of armed aggression, thanks to the efforts of Iosif Kobzon, humanitarian support was provided to the population, as well as assistance in the evacuation of Donbass residents from cities and villages targeted by the Ukrainian military. Previously, he also selflessly supported the victims of the tragedies of Nord-Ost and Beslan. Everyone who knew Iosif Davydovich personally, noted his high human qualities and true patriotism.

The title “Hero of the Donetsk People’s Republic” is the highest state award, which is awarded for merits to the Republic and to the people, connected with a heroic feat shown during combat operations or special missions of the command, and making an exceptional contribution to the defense and development of the state. Many heroes gave their lives for the young Republic. On July 28, 2014 at the Saur-Mogila monument, Oleg Grishin (nom de guerre “Bear”) being surrounded by comrades-in-arms, he diverted enemy’s artillery fire onto himself and died a glorious death. In 2015, Vitaly Zakharchuk (nom de guerre “Zakhar”) died bravely outside Debaltsevo. On May 17, 2018, as a result of the shelling against the positions of the People’s Police of the DPR near Donetsk, Oleg Mamiev “Mamai” sustained fatal injuries. These are far from all the names of heroes-defenders who did not return from the battlefields for the freedom and independence of the Republic, but they will forever remain in the memory of Donbass residents.

Lacking the strength and ability to defeat the Heroes of the Republic on the battlefield, the Ukrainian side was repeatedly guided by unlawful and dangerous practices – acts of terrorism. Distinguished commanders, Heroes of the DPR Arsen “Motorola” Pavlov and Mikhail “Givi” Tolstykh became victims of armed criminals.

On August 31, 2018, the First Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, Alexander Vladimirovich Zakharchenko, died in the center of Donetsk as a result of a terrorist attack organized by the Ukrainian special services. It was him, who became the commander of the first militia troops and the defender of the people’s will, who took responsibility for the Republic at the most difficult stage of its establishment and state-building, in the context of active hostilities, increasing political, economic and social pressure by Ukraine.

We can definitely say that the Donetsk People’s Republic owes to Alexander Zakharchenko most of the achievements at this period of time, success in state building, restoration of the national economy and civil infrastructure, and the resumption of trade and international relations. He was really strong-willed and hard-working, he felt deep love for his Motherland and devotion to duty.

The guidelines in his service to the Fatherland have always been the principles of freedom, justice, conscience and equality, which determined the policy of the Donetsk People’s Republic as a democratic legal social state. The ideals of humanism, social justice and the rule of law are reflected in the Constitution of the DPR and its legislative framework. At the same time, special attention was paid to the observance of human rights and freedoms. In order to ensure state protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens, foreigners and stateless persons who reside in the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic, to prevent any form of discrimination regarding the realization of rights and freedoms by people, the post of Human Rights Ombudsman in the Donetsk People’s Republic was established.

Upon a human rights violation, the need to restore one’s rights, to obtain legal advice or appeal against actions (omission) of state bodies or authorities, citizens can apply to the Ombudsman in a way that is convenient for them.

Now, the majority of applications are still verbal and submitted through personal reception either with the Ombudsman or staff 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.

Since the beginning of 2019, the Ombudsman received 4544 complaints. In the period of work between 24 and 30 August 2019, 35 persons received counselling by the Appeals department, 3 written complaints were accepted; 4 citizens received counselling by the Working Group on Issues of Temporary Displaced Persons, and 13 persons received legal counselling. 22 written appeals were approved for consideration, 16 – have been reviewed among those received earlier. 39 calls were received via hotlines, 14 applications were received via e-mail.

All appeals received can be divided into nine categories: violations in criminal law – 431 appeals, violations in civil law – 477 appeals, administrative and legal violations against the DPR citizens – 51 appeals, complaints against the acts or omissions of judiciary – 157 appeals, complaints against the acts or omissions of law-enforcement authorities and servicemen – 253 appeals, complaints against the acts or omissions of government officials – 190 appeals, social, humanitarian and economic issues – 1757 appeals, issues connected with the political and military situation in DPR – 837 appeals, other issues – 391 appeals (diagram 1).   

The number of appeals (complaints, applications) from citizens,  submitted to the Office of DPR Ombudsman as of 30.08.2019

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, benefits, disability, humanitarian aid – 563 appeals; transportation, communication and consumer rights – 57 appeals; issues of housing legislation, protection of consumers of housing and public utility services – 324 appeals, migration legislation issues – 496 appeals, labour legislation issues – 156 appeals, healthcare issues – 144 appeals, issues of education, culture and sport – 17 appeals. (Diagram 2).

The number of appeals (complaints, applications) from citizens on social and humanitarian issues, received by the DPR Ombudsman`s Office as of 30.08.2019

The majority of complaints 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 30.08.2019

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 Donbass citizens’ rights by the Ukrainian side: the right to life, to security of the person.

On 24 August, as a result of hostilities in Kominternovo village, Novoazovsk region, a DPR serviceman born in 1970 sustained multiple shrapnel wounds to the back, left hand and a shoulder.

On 29 August, as a result of hostilities in Novoazovsk region, two DPR servicemen born in 1962 and 1974 sustained gunshot wounds.

As a result of shelling in Grigorievka village, DPR servicemen born in 1973, 1976, 1983 and 1999 sustained wounds of varying severities.

Within the period between 23 and 29 August 2019, 7 DPR servicemen sustained injuries in the Donetsk People’s Republic as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine.

Within the period between 1 January and 29 August 2019, 153 persons, including 108 DPR servicemen, 16 civilian women and 26 civilian men and 3 children sustained injuries as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine.

Within the period between 23 July and 29 August 2019, 8 DPR servicemen died in the Donetsk People’s Republic.     

Within the period between 1 January and 29 August 2019, 127 persons, including 119 DPR servicemen, 5 civilian women and 3 civilian men died as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine.  

To be specific, since the beginning of the armed conflict 4856 persons 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.

2. 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 30.08.2019, 256 persons are held by the Ukrainian side including: 

– 103 of those whose presence on the territory of Ukraine had been established and confirmed;

– 153 persons whose whereabouts are unknown or are pending clarification by the Ukrainian side;

This week the Ombudsman’s Office in the Donetsk People’s Republic hasn’t received any appeals on missing persons.

As of 30 August 2019, 460 persons are considered missing. They could have been taken prisoner in Ukraine.

3. 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.

On 29 August, ahead of the Day of Knowledge and the beginning of the school year, staff of the Human Rights Ombudsman in the Donetsk People’s Republic handed over 60 stationery kits to primary school students residing in social housing objects in Donetsk.

Next week, it is planned to deliver another18 kits for students of 1-4 years of primary school residing in social housing objects in other cities of DPR.

The provision of humanitarian aid is carried out thanks to cooperation of the Human rights Ombudsman and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

During the period of work between 24 and 30 August 2019, 4 persons have applied to the Ombudsman’s Office on the issues related to being affected by the armed conflict. There are currently 1078 accommodation places in the Donetsk People’s Republic available for citizens affected by hostilities. Since the beginning of the conflict, 6825 persons, including 1686 children have been registered as persons affected as a result of the conflict. 77 social housing objects (dormitories, preventative clinics, health care centres) have been opened in the territory of DPR. 54 of them operate, 23 of them are held in reserve. Currently, 2272 persons live in social housing objects (dormitories, preventative clinics, health care centres) of the Donetsk Administration, including 426 underage children, 4553 persons live in the housing fund, including 1260 children.