KYIV. July 19 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Human rights activists have expressed concern about the lack of proper investigation of crimes committed since the beginning of the armed conflict in Donbas.

"Those responsible for committing numerous serious human rights violations on the uncontrolled by Ukrainian government territories continue their criminal activities without being brought to justice," Director of Kharkiv Human Rights Group Yevhen Zakharov told at Interfax-Ukraine News Agency press conference on Monday.

According to Zakharov, some of the crimes committed during the military operations in Donbas can reach an international level.

Human rights activists say that since the beginning of the conflict there has been a significant increase of killings and enforced disappearances, tortures and ill-treatment, illegal detentions and destruction of property, cases of sexual and gender-based crimes committed both against women and men, although such cases were not properly investigated up to the present day.

According to activists, the gaps in Ukrainian legislation, the issues with access to areas that are not controlled by the Ukrainian authorities, as well as lack of political will for proper investigation and prosecution of those responsible for these crimes, creates a situation in which the issues of these crimes will be considered by international institutions.

"Each of the offenses has been effectively documented, so that each crime could be investigated. And those who are guilty would be punished, the victims would receive adequate compensation and appropriate treatment ... The investigation must be conducted at both the national and international levels," Deputy Director of Kharkiv Human Rights Group Oleksandr Pavlichenko said.