“Restoring Donbas” opposes the draft law “On the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine”

21:55 / 20 Dec. 2015 / 1017

Volunteers of community initiative “Restoring Donbas” took the floor with an open letter to the deputies with an appeal not to include draft law number 3693 from 12/08/2015 “On the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine” to the agenda of Verkhovna Rada. According to the experts of the initiative, its provisions essentially limit the rights of Ukrainian citizens from Donetsk and Luhansk regions, who live behind the demarcation line. Moreover, it contradicts the Constitution of Ukraine and a range of international documents.

In particular, there are several outrageous articles in the aforementioned draft law. Article 5 exempts the State Ukraine from liability on protection of human life and health, social obligations and pensions of persons, who reside on the uncontrolled territories. These powers are passed on the Russian Federation. Article 12 of the draft law prohibits the provision of fuel and energy resources and water supply to these areas.

According to representatives of “Restoring Donbas”, the adoption of such provisions contradict Article 3 of the Constitution, which states that «The human being, his or her life and health, honor and dignity, inviolability and security are recognized in Ukraine as the highest social value. To affirm and ensure human rights and freedoms is the main duty of the State”. Moreover, it contradicts Article 46 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to social security, pensions and other social benefits.

In addition, the draft law goes against several international documents, which were signed by Ukraine (Convention (IV) relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War and the Convention on the Rights of the Child), as well as point 8 of the Measures for the execution of the Minsk Agreements.

According to the letter, it has not been adopted any government program, legislative or regulatory act in Ukraine, which can solve the housing problems of 1.6 million of IDPs from the eastern regions.

The draft law does not provide residents of the “occupied” territories with the possibility to arrive to the territory under Ukrainian control. In addition, it does not solve the issue of residence of Ukrainian citizens, especially children.

“IDPs solve their problems on their own, the government observes the solution of their problems by leaving them alone with their difficulties” – volunteers summarized.

Let us recall, on December 9 it was was registered draft law “On the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine” in Verkhovna Rada. The document offers to ban the provision of energy resources and water supply to temporarily uncontrolled territories, to prohibit the import of all goods, except for goods and chattels of citizens.

The restoring-donbass.com website - is an interactive platform, which was created by the "Restoring Donbas" community initiative of Oleksandr Klymenko. The latest news, blogs and analysis, background information and useful ads for IDPs and Donbas residents are available on the website.