The overview of the current social and humanitarian situation in the territory of the Donetsk People`s Republic as a result of hostilities between 25 September and 01 October 2021

News Overview of the social and humanitarian situation

Last week was marked by highly intensive shelling of peaceful territories by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, particularly that directed to the settlement of Yasinovataya. During this period, representatives of the JCCC documented 13 cases of violation of an open-ended ceasefire regime by the Ukrainian side. In total, 214 pieces of ammunition were fired on the territory of the DPR.    

Such actions of the AFU, in general, are similar to the position of the military high command, which is already openly calling on Ukrainian servicemen to violate the ceasefire regime.

However, the AFU command policy easily explains the heinous amount of crimes against the civilian population of Donbass that were committed during the years of the conflict. This thesis is confirmed by the number of mass graves of citizens that are regularly found by experts of the Interdepartmental Commission for the Search for Missing Persons at the former locations of the AFU. The identification of these remains will play an important role in investigations against criminals in the future.

In this regard, on 30 September, in the Republican Bureau of the Forensic Medical Examination of the DPR, the first transfer of biological material taken from the

In this regard, on September 30, at the Republican Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination of the DPR, the first transfer of biological material taken from the alleged relatives of the victims of the Ukrainian aggression and persons searching for relatives of the missing on the territory of the LPR during the active phase of the military conflict took place.

In the future, a genetic analysis of the provided materials will be carried out and a personal DNA passport will be created, which allows identifying of the remains recovered from mass graves in the territory of Donbass.

However, despite the difficult situation along the borders, the Republic continues to strengthen its economic security and independence. The Economic Council, created within the framework of the agreement on the singled customs area of the Republics of Donbass, held its first meeting, following which a decision was made to approve the Regulations on the Singled Economic Commission, as well as the Common Customs Tariff of the Singled Customs Territory.

In addition, foreign economic activity turned out to be productive. Thus, a group of DPR experts went to Syria for the international trade exhibition “Re-build Syria Exhibition 2021”. Delegates of the Republic presented the export catalogue of industrial enterprises of the DPR. Meetings were planned with representatives of a number of business organizations and investment companies in Syria to negotiate the prospects for further cooperation with Donbass.

Another important achievement, but this time in the cultural sphere of the Republic, was the awarding of Donetsk the title of a literary city of international importance from the International Union of Writers (ISP). Such events once again demonstrate that the Donbass, despite the years of conflict, still remains a highly cultured and developed region.

Unfortunately, this week has been marked by a worsening epidemiological situation associated with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Students of higher educational institutions and institutions of secondary vocational education of the DPR have already been transferred to distance learning. Classes in this format will continue until appropriate recommendations are received from the Ministry of Health and the Interdepartmental Operational Headquarters to prevent the importation and spread of the new coronavirus infection.

In general, the authorities of the Republic are taking all possible measures to stabilize the situation. For example, 2,429 units of office and technological equipment have already been delivered to hospitals in the Republic. The specified equipment was transferred to the DPR medical institutions thanks to the funds provided by the Capital Investment Program. Expenditures on health care development this year have been increased to one billion rubbles.

At the moment, according to official data of the DPR Ministry of Health, 67,883 cases of COVID-19 infection have been recorded in the country. 9447 patients are in treatment, 4960 cases are fatal.

The Ombudsman calls on residents to remain vigilant and comply with the necessary sanitary and epidemiological standards. For personal safety, it is recommended that you sign up on the Ministry of Health’s website to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

 

Since the beginning of 2021, the Ombudsman received 2923 complaints.

All received complaints can be divided into nine categories: personal rights – 988 complaints, economic rights – 219 complaints, social rights – 578 complaints; guarantees of human rights in civil, administrative and criminal proceedings – 308 complaints; enforcement of human rights in penitentiary institutions – 96 complaints; enforcement of rights in the field of education – 22 complaints; enforcement of rights in the field of healthcare – 121 complaints; enforcement of rights of mothers, children and families – 35 complaints, issues connected with the political and military situation in DPR – 556 complaints.

The number of appeals (complaints, applications) from citizens,  submitted to the Office of DPR Ombudsman as of 01.10.2021

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

  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 25 September and 01 October, 1 serviceman of the Republic was wounded.

Within the period between 1 January and 01 October 2021, in the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic, 101 people sustained injuries and traumas of varying severities as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine: 77 servicemen of the Republic and 24 civilians.

Within the period between 24 September and 01 October 2021, unfortunately, one serviceman of the Republic died.

Within the period between 1 January and 01 October 2021, in the territory of the DPR, 6 civilians and 58 servicemen of the Republic died as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine.

It should be noted that since the armed conflict began in the Donetsk People’s Republic, 5025 people, including 91 children died.

Officially confirmed information on individuals who have been wounded since the beginning of the conflict continues to be reported to the DPR Ombudsman’s Office.

 

  1. Register of the prisoners of war, missing soldiers and civilians

According to operational data, as of 01.10.2021, the Ukrainian side detains about 92 people.

As of 01.10.2021, 354 people are on the list of missing persons.

  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 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 the supervision of the Republican Commission on Resettlement of Affected Persons chaired by the DPR Human Rights Ombudsman.

There are currently 861 accommodation places in the Donetsk People’s Republic available for citizens of this category. 60 social housing objects have been opened in the territory of DPR. 52 of them operate, 8 of them are held in reserve. Since the beginning of the conflict on the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic, according to updated data, 9231 people, including 2186 children have been registered as persons affected as a result of the conflict. Currently, 1803 people live in social housing objects of the Donetsk People’s Republic, including 309 children, 7428 people live in the housing fund, including 1877 children.