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The civilian population trapped. A humanitarian corridor is needed (OSCE)

The facade of the N27 hospital in Donestk reached (credit: Ostro)
The facade of the N27 hospital in Donestk reached (credit: Ostro)

(BRUSSELS2) The head of the OSCE observer mission in Ukraine, Ertugrul Apakan, called on Wednesday evening (February 4) the parties to the conflict in Ukraine (Ukrainians and pro-Russians) to end the bblind bombings residential areas, around de debaltseve and others eastern regions of the'Ukraine, à establish a temporary truce which would allow immediate evacuation of the civilian population. The OSCE observation mission is ready to facilitate and to support the truce, who should take effect immediately and stay in place for a minimum of three days he said. « The population of eastern'Ukraine a suffered enough. »

A population taken hostage

A similar appeal had been made shortly before by the ICRC, the International Committee of the Red Cross, in Geneva. Residents desperately need security, food, water, medicine, electricity and shelter. " The complete lack of security sometimes makes it impossible to reach people in distress says Michel Masson, head of the ICRC delegation in Ukraine. " The situation is getting worse day by day. Residents remain hidden in the basements of buildings for days, and those who dare to venture outside to try to obtain basic necessities risk being injured or killed »

Donetsk Hospital No. 27 targeted

Alarmed by the repeated damage to medical facilities, on both sides of the front line” in Ukraine, the ICRC particularly called for respect for healthcare centres. The international organization mentions in particular Hospital No. 27 in Donetsk in the Textilschiki district, " hit today by artillery fire like other civilian structures, including a child care center ". " This is not the first time that hospitals or other hospital structures have come under fire. — testifies Joan Audierne, head of the ICRC office in Donetsk —. " The medical staff work in very difficult conditions. Civil infrastructures and patients must be spared. If you're not safe in the hospital, where can you be! »

International humanitarian law violated

And the ICRC reminds the various parties to the conflict of the principles of international humanitarian law: to ensure that medical personnel are not endangered or targeted, that hospitals and ambulances are not attacked, damaged or used for other purposes. " International humanitarian law prohibits indiscriminate attacks - he recalls. In particular, attacks must not not be directed against civilians or civilian objects, such as houses, schools, medical structures and medical vehicles, or against objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, such as foodstuffs and potable water ».

(NGV)

Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).

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