Strasbourg Protesters Urge EU Not to Ignore Kiev Forces' Crimes in Donbas

PARIS, January 13 (Sputnik) — Protesters in Strasbourg, France are urging the European Parliament not to ignore the atrocities that have occurred during Kiev's military operation in Donbas, one of the coordinators of the picket Fabrice Alric told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.

"We have gathered to protest against the actions of the Ukrainian government in Donbas, actions that are supported by the European Parliament. We ask the members of the European Parliament not to turn a blind eye to the crimes committed by Kiev government in Donbas," Alric said Tuesday.

About 30 people gathered in front of the European Parliament, hoping to draw the attention of the international community to the ongoing hostilities in the region. French police did not attempt to break the demonstration up, Alric stressed.

People came to the picket with banners emblazoned with "Stop ethnic cleansing in Donbas", "Save the children of Donbas," as well as photographs depicting the tragic events in Ukraine, another organizer of the picket told RIA Novosti.

Donbas is a region in southeastern Ukraine that has undergone severe hardship as a result of a military operation, launched by the Ukrainian government against independence supporters in April 2014.

According to the latest UN data, more than 4,700 civilians were killed during the armed conflict in Donbas and over 10,000 were injured.