This week was marked by several significant occasions.
In the Republic, the active work on creating humanitarian corridors at the borders between the DPR and Ukraine for further opportunity to cross the borders by civilians is being done. It is extremely important to take into account all necessary shades before opening the borders, especially in summer, when daytime temperatures reach 39°C. It should be reminded, that 27 deaths in queues at the checkpoints were fixed for 2019, and most of the fatalities were caused by hot weather.
Another and much more dangerous problem, which is needed for official and well-designed coordination for opening the borders by the sides, is the pandemic of COVID-19. As the Interagency operational headquarters for the prevention of spreading the coronavirus infection declared: “Level of testing for the presence of coronavirus is extremely low. It is impossible to estimate precisely the epidemiological situation at the border”. The incoherence of actions may increase the threat of spreading the coronavirus COVID-19 in the DPR, which is still at a high level. Thus, for today in the Republic 775 registered and confirmed cases of COVID-19 were fixed. 551 patients are in treatment, 32 cases are fatal. At the present time, the situation is under the control by the DPR competent authorities, which is taking all necessary measures to minimize the consequences of the pandemic.
The DPR Ombudsman carefully considers all statements, related to the situation at the borders and calls citizens to show understanding and patience in connection with the current situation. All information about crossing the checkpoints should be monitored only on the official sources of the DPR.
However, despite the difficulties, connected to the pandemic, citizens of the Republic celebrated two significant holidays for the region. On 7 June the Day of Holy Trinity was held, which is a symbol of moral renewal and spiritual unity of all orthodox believer. Another unifying holiday was Russia Day on 12 June. The TV-version of big holiday concert, master-classes by masters of the folk art in online-regime, virtual exhibitions of the Russian history, and also concert programs, taking place jointly with Russian collectives were organized for residents and visitors of the Republic.
It should be reminded, that the DPR Ombudsmen’s Office continues work in normal mode with the exception of a public reception. Citizens can send complaints at the address: Pushkin Boulevard, 34, 5th floor, office 540.
Donets, the DPR, 83105; or in an e-mail to: [email protected]
“Hot line” telephones also work:
+38 071-301-73-52 – on general issues;
+38 071-404-69-29 – on issues of missing people as a result of the armed conflict.
The Ombudsman continues attentively explore and monitor current situation in the Republic, also calls citizens for being careful and follow the essential sanitary-epidemiological norms.
Since the beginning of 2020, the Ombudsman received 2,290 complaints.
All received complaints can be divided into nine categories: personal rights – 852 complaints, economic rights – 85 complaints, social rights – 317 complaints; guarantees of human rights in civil, administrative and criminal proceedings – 224 complaints; enforcement of human rights in penitentiary institutions – 59 complaints; enforcement of rights in the field of education – 4 complaints; enforcement of rights in the field of healthcare – 60 complaints; enforcement of rights of mothers, children and families – 19 complaints, issues connected with the political and military situation in DPR – 670 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.
On 5 June a civil woman, born in 1961, sustained multiple shrapnel wounds as a result of shelling by forces of Ukrainian armed groups the settlement Olenovka.
Within the period between 1 January and 12 June 2020, 63 people, including 36 DPR servicemen and 27 civilians (including 6 child and 8 women) sustained injuries and traumas of varying severities as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine.
Within the period between 6 and 12 June 2020, in the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic 1 DPR serviceman died.
Within the period between 1 January and 12 June 2020, 22 DPR servicemen and 4 civilians died as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine.
To be specific, since the beginning of the armed conflict 4,922 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 the DPR.
- Register of the prisoners of war, missing soldiers andcivilians
During the reporting period the DPR Ombudsman’s Office received no statements of detention.
Based on the updated figures as of 12th June 2020, there are 115 people detained by the Ukrainian side. However, official representatives of Kiev declare that they either do not provide information about these people, or clarify information about them.
On 12 June 2020 465 people are considered missing. They could have been taken prisoner in Ukraine.
- 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 915 accommodation places in the Donetsk People’s Republic available for citizens of this category. 63 social housing objects have been opened in the territory of DPR. 53 of them operate, 10 of them are held in reserve. Since the beginning of the conflict, 7064 people, including 1609 children have been registered as persons affected as a result of the conflict. Currently, 2133 people live in social housing objects of the Donetsk People’s Republic, including 384 underage children, 4931 people live in the housing fund, including 1225 children.
