The Real Price of Coal in the Wartime Donbas: a Human Rights Perspective

This publication presents results of a study conducted by the Eastern-Ukrainian Center for Civic Initiatives in cooperation with partner organizations from the Coalition of human rights organizations and initiatives “Justice for Peace in Donbas” with support of the Heinrich Böll Foundation’s Office in Ukraine. The aim of the study was to create conditions for a wide public discussion about the actual economic, environmental and social consequences of coal mining in Donbas during the war.

The study is based on information collected during a monitoring visit to the territories of Luhansk and Donetsk regions controlled by Ukrainian government, expert interviews and information received from the state authorities and open sources. Analysis of collected data shows multiple violations of social, labor and environmental rights, restricted possibilities for self-fulfillment available to local citizens, especially women, as well as lack of inclusiveness in economic institutes in the region. Authors of this report recommend a number of measures aimed to solve the key issues resulting from the coal industry’s activities and create conditions for gradual transition to renewable energy sources.

Authors: Kazanskyi, D., Nekrasova, A., Pavlov, I., Savytskyi, O., Smirnov, A., Tarabanova, S., Yanova, H. (2017). The Real Price of Coal in the Wartime in Donbas: A Human Rights Perspective (Summary of the Report) (A. Nekrasova, V. Shcherbachenko, Ed.). Kyiv: East-Ukrainian Center for Civic Initiatives.

Photos: Kazanskyi, D. (p. 13) , Lapshyn, V. (cover photo, p. 8, 15, 19, 21), Savytskyi, O. (p. 17)