Ukraine death toll hits 6,000: UN

According to the latest human rights report released by the UN Office for the High Commissioner (OHCHR), the surge in fatalities in the Eastern European country has continued despite successive ceasefires as Government and rebel forces have escalated their fighting in recent weeks, particularly near the airport in Donetsk and in the area around the town of Debaltseve.

The clashes have resulted in hundreds of deaths, both civilian and military, and “an untenable situation” for those trapped in the strife-torn areas.

“It is imperative that all sides comply with the provisions of the Minsk Agreements and halt the indiscriminate shelling and other hostilities that have created a dreadful situation for civilians – in stark disregard of international humanitarian law and human rights law,” the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, warned in a press release.

“The human rights situation in Ukraine remains grave,” he continued.

He said, “Should this trend continue, this would represent a new and very deadly chapter in this conflict, expanding the areas where the rule of law and the protection of human rights are effectively absent.”

In late February 2014, the situation in Ukraine transcended what was initially seen as an internal Ukrainian political crisis into violent clashes in parts of the country, later reaching full- scale conflict in the east.

Despite the Minsk cease-fire, the situation in Ukraine has since continuously deteriorated, with serious consequences for the country's unity, territorial integrity and stability. Recent media reports have suggested a potential worsening of the situation amid claims of a massive recruitment campaign by anti-Government groups.

At the same time, the High Commissioner observed a dangerous shift in the nature of the conflict following a series of recent deadly terrorist attacks in the cities of Kharkiv and Odessa and another suspected attack in Mariupol on 24 January.

The fighting has also sparked a massive outflow of refugees and displaced persons. Last month, the UN refugee agency reported at least 943,500 internally displaced persons (IDPs), with Ukraine's Ministry of Social Policy today counting some 980,000 people as currently internally displaced.

Meanwhile, over 600,000 Ukrainians have fled the country, seeking refuge in neighbouring countries, particularly the Russian Federation, but also Belarus, Moldova, Poland, Hungary and Romania, since February 2014.

“All aspects of people's lives are being negatively affected, and the situation is increasingly untenable for the local inhabitants, especially in areas controlled by the armed groups,” Zeid explained.

He added, “Many have been trapped in conflict zones, forced to shelter in basements, with hardly any drinking water, food, heating, electricity or basic medical supplies.”

The living conditions for civilians in besieged areas has steadily deteriorated amid indiscriminate shelling as well as “credible allegations” of arbitrary detention, torture and enforced disappearances, committed mostly by armed groups but, in some instances, also by Ukrainian law enforcement agencies, OHCHR added in its report.

Zeid admitted that many civilians remained in territory controlled by armed groups because they fear for their lives if they try to move while others are forced to stay against their will, or are simply physically unable to leave.

“All those who remain have a right to protection according to international human rights and international humanitarian law, which must be respected by all relevant authorities,” he affirmed.

He added, “All violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law must be thoroughly investigated and perpetrators promptly brought to justice.”

Photo: WFP/Abeer Etefa