Parties to conflict in Donbas use schools for military purposes – Human Rights Watch

Both parties to the conflict in Donbas, the government forces and the Russian-backed separatists, are using schools for military purposes.

This is stated in the new report of the Human Rights Watch international human rights organization.

The human rights defenders interviewed 62 students, teachers, principals, and witnesses and visited 41 schools and kindergartens located on two sides of the demarcation line.

They concluded that both the armed forces of Ukraine and the illegal armed groups launched aimed and unaimed attacks on schools. Both sides used schools for military purposes, for example to accommodate the servicemen.

The human rights activists call on Ukraine to adhere to the Safe Schools Declaration. The illegal armed groups must also avoid the use of schools for military purposes and follow the Guidelines for Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use during Armed Conflict.

Earlier, the organization accused both sides of violating the laws of war.