OSCE criticises travel restrictions in eastern Ukraine

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on Wednesday criticized a travel permit system introduced by Kiev in eastern Ukraine, saying it creates difficulties for residents of the restive region.

"The permit system significantly limits the ability of people to flee the conflict zone," Alexander Hug, the deputy chief monitor of the OSCE special monitoring mission to Ukraine, told reporters.

The system, which requires people to acquire a special permit for crossing the line separating the territories controlled by the government and the pro-independence insurgents, is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region, Hug said.

"People have to spend many hours waiting to apply for the permit," he said.

Hug added that the control of the movement of people and vehicles across the separating line also creates difficulties for residents in getting life-saving assistance, including humanitarian aid and medicines.

Kiev introduced the travel permit system for residents of eastern Ukraine in mid-January, citing security reasons.

According to the country's National Security and Defense Council, the system is designed to prevent saboteurs from passing from the insurgent-held areas into the territory controlled by government forces. Endi