The overview of the current social and humanitarian situation in the territory of the Donetsk People`s Republic as a result of hostilities between 29 January and 04 February 2022

News Overview of the social and humanitarian situation

The past week in the Republic was marked by extremely volatile environment. For the first time, the state has faced such massive and unprecedented false reports about explosives. As of Friday, information about bomb threats in more than 400 buildings on the territory of the DPR is being checked.

Mainly, anonymous messages about explosives concerned schools, technical colleges and universities in 16 settlements. More than 75 thousand people were evacuated. These provocations led to a high level of involvement of all competent authorities of the Republic. Given that the involvement of additional forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and doctors to check false reports may cost someone their life at a critical moment, the Ombudsman reminds citizens that knowingly false reports of acts of terrorism are criminally punishable acts.

Unfortunately, the situation on the contact line is still difficult. Representatives of the JCCC record shelling of peaceful territories by the AFU almost daily basis. Within the period between January 30 and February 4, 8 cases of violation of the regime of permanent ceasefire by Ukraine were documented. In total, 53 pieces of ammunition were fired on the territory of the DPR.

The statements of the top ranking officials of Ukraine regarding the “supposedly” impossibility of implementing the Minsk agreements do not contribute to the de-escalation of the conflict. Such statements by the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council directly contradict the official position of the Office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, enshrined by him at the Paris summit. Moreover, the absence of consequences for these words may become a signal for action among supporters of a military solution to the conflict and, as a result, lead to new victims.

In turn, the Republic consistently fulfils its obligations. Particular attention is paid to the creation of a mechanism for the search and identification of persons reported missing. Thus, this week, the Republican Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination of the DPR began using modern automatic equipment that will help reach a qualitatively new level in research of biomaterial to identify the deceased. Experts have already begun testing a complex of new equipment and reagents. At the moment, employees of the laboratory are conducting tests on several episodes at once. The focus is on cases with a high probability of matching genotypes. It was established by indirect signs and on the basis of intravital information. This makes it possible to evaluate the equipment in practice and gradually start the normal mode of operation. To date, in the course of the first pilot researches, blood relationship between mother and son has been previously established.

Another important event of the past week was the introduction of amendments to the Decree of the Head of the DPR “On the introduction of high alert regime.” In particular, visiting institutions of culture, sports, leisure, catering establishments is allowed only if visitors have medical documents about vaccinations against COVID-19 or about the disease they have had.

In addition, the period of self-isolation of persons living or in contact with patients with COVID-19 is reduced from 14 to 7 days. These restrictions come into force on February 10, 2022.

In this regard, the Ombudsman calls on citizens to limit attendance at mass events. Thus, according to official data from the Ministry of Health of the DPR, at the moment 129,776 cases of COVID-19 infection have been recorded in the country. 9783 patients are in treatment, 9573 cases are fatal.

The Ombudsman urges residents to remain vigilant and comply with the necessary sanitary and epidemiological standards. For personal safety, citizens are encouraged to sign up on the Ministry of Health website to be vaccinated as soon as possible.

 

Since the beginning of 2022, the Ombudsman received 455 complaints.

 

  1. Death toll and 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.

 

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

 

  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, there social facilities (dormitories, preventative clinics, health care centres).

In accordance with 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.