PACE says there are no conditions for return of refugees to Donbas

Friday, December 12, 2014 - 11:45 (EET) Section: Latest news

The conditions in the militant-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions make the return of refugees impossible.
This was stated by Jim Sheridan, rapporteur for the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on the humanitarian situation of Ukrainian refugees and displaced persons, the PACE’s press service reported.
“In Russia as in Ukraine, most of those fleeing the conflict want to go home, but conditions in the separatist-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine make this impossible,” he said, speaking at the end of his fact-finding visit to Moscow and the Rostov region of Russia.
According to Sheridan, he heard of the “‘terrifying’ humanitarian situation in several of the separatist-controlled areas, especially of Luhansk.”
“People continue to be killed and injured by shells and rockets fired by both sides. Many are living in the ruins of their homes, without gas, water or electricity. Supplies of food are running short,” he said.
According to him, as temperatures in the weeks to come may reach minus 20 degrees Centigrade, the risk of a humanitarian catastrophe is only too real.
Sheridan also welcomed the new “Day of Silence” truce, but said he was troubled by the “presence of Russian soldiers and military material in Ukraine.”