Roundup: Ongoing crisis in Ukraine affecting millions of civilians

Over three million civilians living in conflict-affected areas in eastern Ukraine are facing growing despair and isolation, a UN human rights report revealed Thursday.

The 13th of its kind, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights' (OHCHR) report covers the Nov. 16, 2015 to Feb. 15, 2016 period, during which 21 civilians died and 57 were injured.

"There is a terrible sensation of physical, political, social and economic isolation and abandonment among the huge number of people who are struggling to eke out a living in the conflict zone," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein in a statement.

"They are in urgent need of greater protection and support," he added.

Though one of the least fatal periods since the conflict erupted almost two years ago, those living around the contact line separating the self-proclaimed 'Donetsk people's republic' and 'Luhansk people's republic' from the rest of the country are especially vulnerable to human rights abuses.

Instances of violations and cases of indiscriminate shelling together with the presence of anti-personnel mines and remnants of war are further compounding the situation on the ground.

"Many homes have been damaged and looted. Local administrations are not functioning and access to basic public services is, at best, limited," OHCHR reported.

Access to water and food is also problematic and freedom of movement is highly restricted.

Up to 15,000 civilians cross the contact line on a daily basis passing through six checkpoints.

The report observed regular cases of passengers having to spend the night in freezing cold temperatures without access to water and sanitation.

Villages located in the 'buffer' zone and trapped between government and armed group checkpoints are particularly affected by the ongoing crisis, as are civilians living in areas (such as Shyrokyne and Zaitsev) divided by opposing armed factions, the report said.

Towns located near frontline hot spots, such as Debaltseve and Horlivka, are also deeply impacted by the situation which has physically, politically, socially and economically isolated civilians.

"I am particularly concerned by the lack of space left for civil society, the vulnerability to abuse of people deprived of their liberty, and the complete absence of due process and rule of law in territories under the control of the armed groups," Zeid said.

"The implementation of the Minsk Agreements is the only viable strategy for achieving a peaceful solution in certain areas of eastern Ukraine controlled by armed groups, which, in turn, is key for resolving the human rights crisis in Ukraine," the High Commissioner iterated.

"This includes the restoration of effective control by the government of Ukraine over the border with the Russian Federation and the withdrawal of foreign fighters, mercenaries and military equipment," he concluded.

Since the start of the conflict in mid-April 2014, a total of 9,167 people have been killed while 21,044 have been injured. Endit