Моніторинговий звіт «Перетин лінії розмежування через КПВВ», листопад 2019 року‘Crossing the contact line’ report, November 2019

Today we present the report ‘Crossing the line of contact’. It is based on data collected during 40 visits to the five entry-exit checkpoints (EECPs) in November 2019. More statistical data can be found on the Eastern Ukraine Checkpoint Monitoring Online Dashboard.

• The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution №815 came into force on November 28 with a significant number of amendments included. Although some of the amendments facilitated the crossing procedure for children under the age of 14, the other ones complicated it for those over the age of 14 who did not obtain an internal passport yet. Cases of civilians with such children being denied access to GCA* were observed since then.
• The completion of the reconstruction of the bridge at Stanytsia Luhanska EECP was officially announced on November 20. The reconstructed bridge remains pedestrian-only, however it is claimed that an ambulance or small vehicle can drive through if necessary.
• Conditions in waiting modules at Marinka EECP have worsened: most heaters do not operate; almost all of the wooden benches are broken.
• Electricity disruptions were happening at Marinka and Maiorske EECPs, interrupting the operation of control procedures. Thus, people at Marinka EECP were crowding in the modules, which led to stuffiness and elderlies feeling unwell. Disruptions at Maiorske took up to a day, causing the temperature decrease in waiting modules, sanitation modules and SES tents
• The share of complaints about long lines in NGCA considerably increased at Hnutove, Novotroitske and Maiorske EECP (by 20% in average). However, the reasons of such increase are unknown due to the lack of information from NGCA.
• Two bomb shelters were in construction at Novotroitske EECP during the reporting period.

The report is based on the results of a survey conducted by R2P at the five EECPs to enter the NGCA and administered on a regular basis since June 2017. The survey is a part of the monitoring of violations of rights of conflict-affected populations within the framework of the project ‘Advocacy, Protection and Legal Assistance to IDPs’ implemented by R2P, with the support of UNHCR. The purpose of the survey is to explore reasons and concerns of those traveling from the NGCA to the GCA, as well as conditions and risks associated with crossing the line of contact through EECPs. The information collected in the survey helps identify protection needs, gaps and trends, and provides an evidentiary basis for advocacy efforts. The document can be downloaded in English and Ukrainian.