Human rights activists presented the website which allows to report violations in the Donbas
- Details
- 01.07.2016
Kyiv, 1 July 2016 - The Ukrainian Crisis Media Center hosted a presentation of the website of the Coalition "Justice for Peace in the Donbas". It was presented by human rights activists who have been documenting violations committed during past two years of the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine. The Coalition is an informal union of 17 human rights organizations and initiatives.
The website contains an interactive map of human rights violations committed during the armed conflict in the Donbas. The site also contains sections with the unique content created on the basis of information collected by members of the Coalition. One of the most important features of the site is an online form which allows visitors to directly report cases of rights' violations."Part of the crimes committed during the conflict are war crimes and crimes against humanity. They have no statute of limitations, and therefore offenders must come to trial"- said Vladimir Shcherbachenko, coordinator of the Coalition "Justice for Peace in the Donbas".
"We're working to commence court processes as soon as possible. This requires the most reliable evidence. That's why we created the online form, which will allow people to inform us on crimes. I appeal especially to the residents of Donetsk and Lugansk regions: Do not be afraid! Send us information about violations you know. We guarantee confidentiality and priority to the needs of those who suffer from arbitrariness. Without this information, we can not restore justice and peace in the Donbas" - said a human rights activist.
Human rights activists also informed about their plans for 2016. Catherine Vizhevska, who represents "Shore of Peace", spoke about documenting extrajudicial executions. Denis Denisenko, a deputy chairman of Luhansk Regional Human Rights Center "The Alternative", shared statistical data on attacks and destruction of medical facilities.
"Since September 2014 the NGO "Shore of Peace" helps families and relatives of missing persons. We collect, process and systematize data on missing persons and those who had been illegally detained. We also inform society and government about the importance of the problem and methods of solution. We know that during the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine extrajudicial executions took place quite frequently. We are also aware of a considerable number of cases of torture and forced labor" - said Mrs. Vizhevska.
One of the main problems is represented by the destruction of hospitals. According to international law, it is forbidden to attack and bomb medical facilities, provided that these buildings do not serve military purposes. According to the WHO, 32 medical institutions in the Donbas are completely put out of service because of the warfare. Other 17 hospitals were damaged, but continue to work."We are planning to conduct interviews with witnesses, victims and people who have information about the attacks on health facilities in the settlements of Krasny Liman, Slovyansk, Shchastia, Lysychansk, Stanitsa Luhanska, Trohizbenka, Avdiivka, Krymske, Popasna, Svitlodarsk etc. As to each health facility, which became the object of attack, we shall create the "cases" and put them into the MEMEX database. And this will be the base to bring the offenders to trial'' - said Mr. Denisenko.
Alexander Pavlichenko, a deputy director of "Kharkiv Human Rights Group", explained the specifics of documenting gender-based violence.
"The most serious and egregious crimes often occur in the propaganda. The more terrible a crime is, the less critically it is percieved. People say, "What a mess!" instead of thinking, "Nonsense!". That is why it is critically important to carefully investigate and prevent such crimes. Unfortunately, it does not happen in Ukraine", - said Mr. Pavlichenko.
The activity of the Coalition "Justice for Peace in Donbas" is being funded by UNDP in Ukraine, International Renaissance Foundation, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.
This portal is run by UNDP in Ukraine with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.
