UN believes draft law on Donbas de-occupation 'lacks clarity'

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) believes that the draft law on de-occupation of Donbas (No. 7163), which was approved at first reading, lacks clarity regarding the protection of human rights and freedoms.

Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine Fiona Frazer said this at the presentation of the 20th report of the mission on the situation of human rights in Ukraine, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"On October 6, parliament began consideration and adoption of a new legal framework concerning territory not under the control of the government with the aim of restoring state sovereignty over certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. While discussions continue, at this stage OHCHR notes that the draft law lacks clarity as to framework for the protection of human rights and freedoms," Frazer said.

She added that according to members of the monitoring mission, legislation and in general all government policies "should be inclusive and not be discriminatory in any way in order to contribute to a foundation for future peace and reconciliation in Ukraine."

As reported, on October 6, the Verkhovna Rada adopted at first reading bill No. 7163 on the peculiarities of state policy on ensuring Ukraine's state sovereignty over temporarily occupied territories in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

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