The UN presented its new report on the observance of human rights in Ukraine.
The report covers the period from 16 November 2015 15 February 2016.
The report focuses on the situation in the Donbas and Crimea.
Корреспондент.net results the main theses of the report of the international mission.
In the Donbas global issues
The UN notes that despite the decrease in the level of civilian casualties in Eastern Ukraine over the past few months, the conflict significantly affects the daily life of civilians: there are growing feelings of despair and isolation, affecting those who live in the conflict zone, especially in the territories controlled by the separatists.
“There’s a terrible sense of physical, political, social and economic exclusion and abandonment among a huge number of people – over three million in General – fighting for survival in the conflict zone. They urgently need more protection and support,” said UN high Commissioner for human rights Zeid RA’ad al-Hussein.
In the conflict zone, many homes damaged and ransacked by looters. The local administration is not functioning, and access to public services, at least, limited. Water and food are expensive and difficult to obtain.
Roadblocks seriously obstruct the freedom of movement: at times, hundreds of cars waiting in the queue for crossing the separation line, and the passengers are forced to spend the night at a low temperature.
Reported violations of the ceasefire, indiscriminate constant shelling, presence of landmines and explosive remnants of war.
In the period from 16 November 2015, 15 February 2016, 78 civilians were victims of the conflict in Eastern Ukraine, bringing the overall assessment of casualties since the conflict began to more than 30,000 people including at least 9 160 21 000 killed and wounded (civilians, Ukrainian soldiers and members of armed groups).
In LDNR worst
Residents of territories controlled by armed groups, particularly vulnerable to breaches of their rights, the report said.
They live in conditions characterized by the development of parallel management structures, the total absence of law and order, reports ofillegal detentions, torture, detention incommunicado and lack of access to real legal protections.
“I am particularly concerned about the lack of space for civil society activities, the vulnerability of people deprived of their liberty prior to incarceration, and a complete lack of due process and the rule of law in the territories controlled by armed groups”, – said Zeid.
The report describes how the recent wave of arrests in the self-proclaimed “Donetsk people’s Republic”, was an even stronger deterrent effect on freedom of expression, religion, peaceful Assembly and Association in these areas.
Abuse of law enforcement officers
The UN observers on human rights documented reports of unpunished abuses by law enforcement bodies of Ukraine – mainly employees of the security service of Ukraine – including enforced disappearance, unlawful detention and detention incommunicado, torture and ill-treatment.
“I urge the Ukrainian authorities to ensure immediate and impartial investigation of all reports of violations of human rights,” said Zeid.
Bringing the perpetrators to justice he called for decisive justice for victims, ending impunity and establishing long-term peace.
The high Commissioner also urged Ukraine and self-proclaimed “Donetsk people’s Republic” and “Luhansk people’s Republic” to take steps to ascertain the fate of missing persons and to prevent further disappearances.
