This week, unfortunately, was overshadowed by a statement by the Head of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhan Ghebreyesus about the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic.
So far, the infection has been found in 102 countries, except China. Lately, infected people were identified in Honduras, Bolivia, Panama, Mongolia, Turkey and Jamaica. The total number of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 worldwide exceeds 1,215. The death toll approaches 4,400, and more than 6,600 people are considered to be recovered. Fortunately, no cases of coronavirus infection have been recorded in the Republic by now. However, this cannot be ruled out in the future. In order to prevent a pandemic, the Human Rights Ombudsman in the Donetsk People’s Republic urges citizens to be vigilant and take care of their health.
If you or your loved ones notice symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, cough, sore throat, or weakness, see a doctor immediately and do not self-medicate. Timely qualified treatment will help prevent complications and significantly increase the chances of early recovery.
Wear a mask or use other means of protection to reduce the risk of infection. When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with disposable wipes, which should be thrown away after use. Avoiding unnecessary trips and visits to crowded places can also reduce the risk of illness. In addition, citizens of the Republic should be careful when planning trips to other countries in connection with the threat of air traffic shutdown and the introduction of quarantines.
Clean and disinfect surfaces using household detergents. Hand hygiene is an important measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection. If there is no possibility to wash your hands with soap, use alcohol-containing or disinfecting wipes.
Cleaning and regular disinfection of surfaces removes viruses. Be attentive to the specified protective measures, because when you take care of yourself, you protect your loved ones. Remember! Only together we can fight the pandemic, against which the whole world has already united.
Unfortunately, this week we also observed some developments associated with radical right-wing groups in Ukraine. So, on March 12, in Kiev, Ukrainian radicals thwarted the presentation of a Donbass reconciliation plan and beat the adviser to the Head of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Sergei Sivokho. After the proposal to create a dialogue platform aimed at resolving the conflict in Donbass was made, the event was disrupted by representatives of Azov nationalist battalion. Nationalists defiantly insulted and attacked those present. Such incidents are a prime example of double standards. The impunity of such actions coupled with the violation of the rights of Donbass residents became the key factor in the outbreak of armed clashes.
Since the beginning of 2020, the Ombudsman received 1042 complaints.
All complaints received can be divided into nine categories: personal rights – 208 complaints, economic rights – 40 complaints, social rights – 148 complaints; guarantees of human rights in civil, administrative and criminal proceedings – 138 complaints; enforcement of human rights in penitentiary institutions – 34 complaints; enforcement of rights in the field of education – 0 complaints; enforcement of rights in the field of healthcare – 13 complaints; enforcement of rights of mothers, children and families – 14 complaints, issues connected with the political and military situation in DPR – 447 complaints (diagram).
The number of appeals (complaints, applications) from citizens, submitted to the Office of DPR Ombudsman as of 13.03.2020
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
- Statistics and analysis of destruction of infrastructure
In the reporting period, the front line of the Donetsk People’s Republic was subjected to shelling by the Ukrainian side almost every day. Ukrainian forces intentionally target objects that supply water, electricity and natural gas to residents of the Republic. Other infrastructure objects also come under shelling.
According to the official data, as of 11 March 2020, 1228 out of 3033 destroyed houses have been rebuilt, 11 houses are not subject to reconstruction.
- 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 Donbass citizens’ rights by the Ukrainian side, including the right to life, personal integrity and freedom of movement.
On 7th March, a DPR serviceman, born in 1999, sustained gunshot wound as a result of shelling in Yasinovataia.
On 9th March, a civilian, born in 1964, was wounded as a result of sniping fire at his summer cottage in Zaitsevo.
On 10th March, as a result of shelling in Krutaia balka village, Yasinovataia region, a DPR serviceman, born in 1987, sustained mine-blast wound to the head and neck.
On 11th March, as a result of shelling in Petrovsky district of Donetsk, a DPR serviceman, born in 1977, sustained shrapnel perforating wound.
Within the period between 6 and 13 March 2020, 4 people, including 3 DPR servicemen and 1 civilian man, sustained injuries of varying severities in the Donetsk People’s Republic as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine.
Within the period between 1 January and 13 March 2020, 20 people, including 15 DPR servicemen and 5 civilian men, sustained injuries and traumas of varying severities as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine.
Within the period between 6 and 13 March 2020, no deaths have been documented in the Donetsk People’s Republic.
Within the period between 1 January and 13 March 2020, 8 DPR servicemen died as a result of armed aggression by Ukraine.
To be specific, since the beginning of the armed conflict 4,903 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
In the reporting period, the Ombudsman’s Office in the Donetsk People’s Republic didn’t receive any appeals on arrest.
Based on the updated figures as of 13th March 2020, there are 131 people detained by the Ukrainian side:
15 people whose presence in the territory of Ukraine has been confirmed.
116 people whose whereabouts are unknown or are pending clarification by the Ukrainian side.
Ten persons from the list as of 6th March 2020 have been released as they had served their sentences.
This week the Ombudsman’s Office in the Donetsk People’s Republic didn’t receive any appeals on missing persons.
As of 13th March 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 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 supervision of the Republican Commission on Resettlement of Affected Persons chaired by the DPR Human Rights Ombudsman.
There are currently 958 accommodation places in the Donetsk People’s Republic available for citizens of this category. Since the beginning of the conflict, 7,077 people, including 1,618 children have been registered as persons affected as a result of the conflict. 65 social housing objects have been opened in the territory of DPR. 55 of them operate, 10 of them are held in reserve. Currently, 2,182 people live in social housing objects of the Donetsk People’s Republic, including 394 underage children, 4,895 people live in the housing fund, including 1,224 children.
