Ukraine: Protect civilians in contested areas like Debaltseve
Source: Amnesty International
12 February 2015
With the announcement of a ceasefire deal in Minsk today, both sides to the conflict in eastern Ukraine must take immediate steps to protect civilians in the days before it comes into force, Amnesty International urged.
Both Ukrainian government forces and separatist militias must stop launching indiscriminate attacks that kill civilians, and must allow civilians to flee contested areas like Debaltseve safely.
Because the ceasefire does not enter into effect until Saturday night at midnight, the risk of civilian casualties in continued hostilities is extremely high. Civilians trapped in affected areas like the Debaltseve pocket are at particular risk, as both sides try to gain territory before the fighting is halted.
“Given the intensity of the current fighting in Debaltseve, and the likely desire to escalate hostilities to gain ground before the ceasefire begins, we fear for the safety of the civilian population,” said Joanne Mariner, Senior Crisis Response Adviser at Amnesty International, who has just returned from Debaltseve.
Read more: http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/ukraine-protect-civilians-contested-areas-debaltseve-2015-02-12?linkId=12313657
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