This week was marked by several significant occasions.
On September 8, the Republic celebrated one of the most important holidays in its history – Donbas Liberation Day. On this festive date, thousands of residents from all DPR cities came to the legendary Saur-Mogila height to honor the memory of their ancestors-liberators. Citizens unfolded a 60-meter Soldier’s headscarf as a symbol of memory of the soldiers who fought during the Great Patriotic War. The names of the victorious heroes were written on a large tissue in the colors of the St.George ribbon. The banner was raised to the highest point of the complex. There, citizens and guests of the DPR laid flowers at the graves of the militiamen who died here in the course of the defense of the hill from the Ukrainian soldiers in the summer of 2014.
The holiday ended with a large-scale concert in the center of Donetsk, where the citizens of the Republic could enjoy the live performance of the songs of the legendary musician and Honored Artist of Russia Grigory Leps. It is difficult for the capital to remember when such a number of residents gathered on its central square – more than 70 thousand people, according to the most conservative estimates, came to the central square of Donetsk. Of course, this holiday has become a landmark and will remain in the memory of DNR citizens for a long time.
However, unfortunately, the Ukrainian authorities aren’t in a hurry to return the region to peace, preferring to actively prepare for war, as evidenced by the tense situation unfolding around the settlement of Shumi. Despite the additional measures of the agreement on an open-ended ceasefire entered into force, Ukrainian servicemen continued to build fortifications on the contact line. In response to the DPR’s proposal for a joint inspection of these facilities, the Ukrainian side first agreed and then, a day later, completely changed the terms of the agreements. Moreover, on the eve of a joint inspection of the positions, Ukrainian media began to spread calls for the murder of representatives of the DPR in joint groups. Such hostile steps call into question the process of peaceful settlement of the conflict, and also pose a threat to the life and health of civilians living near the contact line.
But, despite all the difficulties, the Republic continues to live and develop. So, from 12 to 18 September, the DPR will host the International Science Fiction Festival “Stars over Donbas”, organized by the DPR Public Chamber. The event will be attended by about 100 writers from the DPR, LPR, Russia and other countries. The program includes meetings with readers, master classes, and photo exhibitions.
Also last week, the DPR Judo Cup among men and women, the largest in the history of the Republic, took place in the Olimpiyskiy sports complex. More than 120 athletes of the Republic took part in the competition. Many of the winners will go to represent Donbas at international competitions abroad.
The Ombudsman continues to attentively explore and monitor the current situation in the Republic, also call citizens for being careful and follow the essential sanitary-epidemiological norms.
Since the beginning of 2020, the Ombudsman received 4085 complaints.
All received complaints can be divided into nine categories: personal rights – 1849 complaints, economic rights – 135 complaints, social rights – 562 complaints; guarantees of human rights in civil, administrative and criminal proceedings – 366 complaints; enforcement of human rights in penitentiary institutions – 98 complaints; enforcement of rights in the field of education – 13 complaints; enforcement of rights in the field of healthcare – 110 complaints; enforcement of rights of mothers, children and families – 34 complaints, issues connected with the political and military situation in DPR – 918 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 5 and 11 September 2020, in the territory of the Republic, no injured and dead people among the civilian population were fixed.
Within the period between 1 January and 11 September 2020, 31 civilians (including 6 children and 11 women) sustained injuries and traumas of varying severities as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine.
Within the period between 1 January and 11 September 2020, 5 civilians died as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine.
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 11th September 2020, there are about 104 people detained by the Ukrainian side, 362 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 924 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, 6878 people, including 1559 children have been registered as persons affected as a result of the conflict. Currently, 2077 people live in social housing objects of the Donetsk People’s Republic, including 371 underage children, 4801 people live in the housing fund, including 1188 children.
