According to the report on the human rights situation in Ukraine produced by Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ukraine has restored law and order to towns and cities previously held by armed groups. Population of cities in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions liberated from militants receive basic services such as pensions and welfare payments. Moreover, Ukrainian government is clear in its position: it is advocating for the peace plan.
The response of the leaders of the so-called ‘Donetsk and Luhansk peoples’ republics’ has been mixed, and they continue breaking the ceasefire agreement.
OHCHR blames the pro-Russian fighters of so-called “DNR” and “LNR” in escalation of the situation in eastern Ukraine as they practice forced mobilization of civilians and threaten the local population with executions. According to estimates from the Ministry of Regional Development of Ukraine, 4,501 residential buildings and 4,733 energy and water systems facilities and structures have been destroyed deliberately by armed groups.
It is also emphasized that the human rights situation is marked by multiple and ongoing violations in the Crimea annexed by Russia. Russia’s politics there bears clear signs of curtail of freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association, religion or belief.
