The week was marked by several significant occasions.
Beginning from 4 July abnormal heatwave has become in the Republic. In the daytime, thermometers showed 40°C and higher. Such weather conditions threaten the country’s and people’s life. Particularly, a risk of fire emergencies is increasing because of the 5th class of fire hazard (emergency), according to the statement of the Ministry for Emergency Situations. Rescue workers, medic and law enforcement officers held massive preventive measures to prevent disaster because of heat.
The most actual topic in this weather was about the holiday season in the DPR. It should be reminded, that coronavirus corrected the date of it. Novoazovsk area has been taking holiday-makers by the special order since 1 July. For today temporary restrictions on the entry in the territory are maintaining. Transit is allowed according to the lists only for people arriving with the purpose of rehabilitation and recreation (establishments of recreation and private entrepreneurs providing services submit in advance data about holiday-makers who are going to enter to the regional interagency operational headquarters for preventing delivering and spreading new coronavirus infection).
However, the question of freedom movement of citizens and their unimpeded entry in the territory of Novoazovsk area has become an object of consideration with the competent authority of the Republic. According to the statement of Head of the DPR Denis Pushilin, the restriction might be cancelled approximately on 14-15 July.
The threat of COVID-19 infection remains very high, despite the gradual easing of the high-alert regime. In the DPR 1336 cases of contaminations were documented and confirmed as at 10 a.m. on 10 July, 79 cases are fatal. The Ministry of Health of the DPR recalls the importance of implementation sanitary recommendations.
In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the Republic, the border of the DPR with the state of Ukraine remains closed, where the second wave of COVID-19 continues. Officials of the DPR nevertheless take into account the interests of thousands of people, for whom it is extremely important to cross the contact line because of humanitarian or other compelling circumstances. Humanitarian corridors are being organized in the DPR to assist such citizens and to prevent the growth of COVID-19. On 7 July from 9:00 to 18:00 an opportunity to cross border of the DPR throughout the checkpoint “Olenovka” was granted. Entry and exit was implemented under the conditions:
- to entry the DPR it is necessary to have a permission from the Interagency operational headquarters for preventing delivering and spreading new coronavirus infection caused by 2019-nCoV:
- to exit the DPR it is necessary to have an absence of the registration (residence permit) in the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic.
Draw the attention of citizens to the above-mentioned conditions for crossing the state border of the DPR. It is possible to get all additional explanations using the “Helpline” of The DPR Ombudsman’s Office by calling +38 071-301-73-52.
All people (120 persons), who have come to the Republic from Ukraine, were placed in medical institutions of the DPR and were obligated observed for at least 14 days (free). They were tested for the presence of coronavirus infection.
The next date of the organization of humanitarian corridor for transferring citizens has not announced yet. The Head of the DPR delegated to the headquarters the right to determine workdays of the checkpoint of the state border “Olenovka”.
Unfortunately, a similar Ukrainian position became a system in solving humanitarian and other issues. This fact was confirmed during the regular round of negotiations of the Minsk Contact Group on Donbas, which was on 8 July in the format of the videoconference. Despite the several steps, the dialogue is still difficult to call effective. The parties reached agreement on content in Article 2 and Article 3 of the Donbas special status law, harmonized 13 locations (of the proposed 20) for holding mine actions activities, also there is a progress in introducing amendments to the Framework decision on distinguishing forces and means.
However, the Ukrainian position shirks from the discussing key topics such as “procedural rehabilitation” people, who have been earlier detained; the draft of the acceptance of amendments, which consolidate the special status of Donbas in the Constitution of Ukraine; adoption and signature additional measures for control over the present ceasefire. Nevertheless, the mentioned tasks are envisaged by the agenda, with which all negotiators are learned in advance.
It should be mentioned, in spite of the political, economic difficulties and tense military situation, the Republic transfers forces and means for solving significant socially important problems. Particularly, in five months of 2020 (January-May) salary level is gradually increasing. According to the analysis by the Ministry of economic development of the DPR, republican staff member’s salary has been increased by 26,7%, compared with the same period of the last year and amounted to 14 997 rubles. Moreover, the greatest growth (1,7 times) was noted in the spheres of education, healthcare and provision of social assistance, creativity, art and entertainment, functioning of libraries, archives, museums and other cultural institutions.
The state pays special attention to the issues of supporting youth, motherhood and childhood, strengthening the institution of the family. On 8 July in the Day of family, love and loyalty, Head of the Republic Denis Pushilin gave insignias “For merits in child-rearing” to the parents with multiple children from Donetsk, Makeyevka and Noviy Svet of Starobeshevo area. The total number of awarded families was five. The ceremony was in the unofficial atmosphere in the Lenin Komsomol recreation park. Married couples, living in a marriage 50 years and more, also were invited.
During the event, Denis Pushilin announced important news, concerning the act of curfew in the DPR. It should be reminded that the time of curfew is reduced from 3 July to 30 September in the built-up area Sedovo in Novoazovsk area (the curfew is installed from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m.). According to the statement of Head of the State, if the situation remains stable, the authorities will consider the issue of the complete cancellation of the curfew in this settlement for the summer period. Furthermore, the issue of declining of the curfew in the Republic is in the final stage.
Since the beginning of 2020, the Ombudsman received 3,042 complaints.
All received complaints can be divided into nine categories: personal rights – 1366 complaints, economic rights – 101 complaints, social rights – 392 complaints; guarantees of human rights in civil, administrative and criminal proceedings – 264 complaints; enforcement of human rights in penitentiary institutions – 70 complaints; enforcement of rights in the field of education – 4 complaints; enforcement of rights in the field of healthcare – 81 complaints; enforcement of rights of mothers, children and families – 24 complaints, issues connected with the political and military situation in DPR – 740 complaints.
- 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 4 and 10 July 2020, as a result of armed actions by Ukraine 3 DPR servicemen sustained injuries.
Within the period between 1 January and 10 July 2020, 70 people, including 42 DPR servicemen and 28 civilians (including 6 child and 9 women) sustained injuries and traumas of varying severities as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine.
Within the period between 4 and 10 July 2020, no deaths were documented in the Donetsk People’s Republic.
Within the period between 1 January and 10 July 2020, 27 DPR servicemen and 5 civilians died as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine.
To be specific, since the beginning of the armed conflict 4,932 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
Based on the updated figures as of 10th July 2020, there are 103 people detained by the Ukrainian side. 408 people are considered missing.
- 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 920 accommodation places in the Donetsk People’s Republic available for citizens of this category. 64 social housing objects have been opened in the territory of DPR. 55 of them operate, 9 of them are held in reserve. Since the beginning of the conflict, 7,027 people, including 1,605 children have been registered as persons affected as a result of the conflict. Currently, 2,112 people live in social housing objects of the Donetsk People’s Republic, including 380 underage children, 4,915 people live in the housing fund, including 1,225 children.
