UN, 29 August 2014 – Intense fighting, including the use of heavy
weaponry by both sides, in densely populated areas of eastern Ukraine,
has increased the loss of civilian life, with an average of around 36
people being killed every day, says a new report issued today by the United Nations human rights office.
The report, produced by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and covers the period from 16 July to 17 August, expresses dismay at the killing and wounding of civilians who are trapped in urban areas or attempting to flee the fighting in eastern Ukraine using “safe” corridors established by the Government.
Deliberate targeting of civilians is a violation of international humanitarian law, and more must be done to protect them,” said High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay. “All those involved in the hostilities in the affected areas of the east must at all times comply with the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution. This is particularly important in densely populated areas.”
“There is an urgent need to end the fighting and violence in the eastern regions, before more civilians are harmed or forced to flee, or face intolerable hardships trapped inside the conflict zones,” she added in a news release.
The report, the fifth to be produced on the human rights situation since the outset of violence in Ukraine, documents a wide array of serious abuses committed primarily by the armed groups who have seized control over a large part of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the country’s east since mid-April.
Yesterday Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced his alarm at what seems to be a “dangerous escalation” in the crisis in Ukraine with reports of intensified fighting in the country south-east near the border with Russia. According to UN estimates, at least 2,593 people have been killed in Ukraine between mid-April and 27 August 2014.
There have also been reports of human rights violations, such as arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and torture, committed by the Ukrainian territorial and special battalions. More control should be exercised over these battalions, “in particular instructing them in international humanitarian law.”
[UN.ORG]
29/8/14
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Related:
The report, produced by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and covers the period from 16 July to 17 August, expresses dismay at the killing and wounding of civilians who are trapped in urban areas or attempting to flee the fighting in eastern Ukraine using “safe” corridors established by the Government.
Deliberate targeting of civilians is a violation of international humanitarian law, and more must be done to protect them,” said High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay. “All those involved in the hostilities in the affected areas of the east must at all times comply with the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution. This is particularly important in densely populated areas.”
“There is an urgent need to end the fighting and violence in the eastern regions, before more civilians are harmed or forced to flee, or face intolerable hardships trapped inside the conflict zones,” she added in a news release.
The report, the fifth to be produced on the human rights situation since the outset of violence in Ukraine, documents a wide array of serious abuses committed primarily by the armed groups who have seized control over a large part of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the country’s east since mid-April.
- It also documents violations committed by Ukrainian forces in their efforts to recapture territory, from which armed groups are conducting operations and in which they have located military objectives.
Yesterday Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced his alarm at what seems to be a “dangerous escalation” in the crisis in Ukraine with reports of intensified fighting in the country south-east near the border with Russia. According to UN estimates, at least 2,593 people have been killed in Ukraine between mid-April and 27 August 2014.
- According to the report released today, civilians fleeing the intense and prolonged fighting in eastern Ukraine have been targeted and killed; others have been prevented by the armed groups from leaving the cities of Luhansk and Donetsk as the Ukraine Government tightened its blockades around the two main strongholds of the armed groups.
- Supposedly “safe” corridors established by the Ukrainian forces to enable residents to flee from these cities, traversed areas where the fighting was ongoing. Civilians using these corridors were subsequently killed or injured.
- Although more than half the population of Luhansk and Donetsk cities have now left, not enough was done in time to evacuate people from the areas of fighting, the report says, especially those most vulnerable such as institutionalized children, older people and people with disabilities. The evacuation of many children to other parts of Ukraine was blocked by armed groups.
There have also been reports of human rights violations, such as arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and torture, committed by the Ukrainian territorial and special battalions. More control should be exercised over these battalions, “in particular instructing them in international humanitarian law.”
- The Government has arrested more than 1,000 people in eastern Ukraine because of what it calls “irrefutable evidence of their participation in terrorist activities.” But, according to the report, procedural rights “have not always been observed and there are reports of ill-treatment during arrest or while in custody."
- The report adds that the Ukrainian Parliament approved three laws that would significantly expand the powers of law enforcement bodies in relation to the Government’s security operation in the east that “appear to be in conflict with international human rights norms and standards.”
- The report also notes that in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, harassment and discrimination have continued against Ukrainian nationals, Crimean Tatars and other minorities. “No serious attempts have been made (by Crimean authorities) to investigate allegations of human rights abuses committed by the so-called Crimean self-defence forces following the March ‘referendum’.
[UN.ORG]
29/8/14
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Related:
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By Blocking UN Resolution, US Shows That It Seeks Ukrainian Conflict Escalation (Moscow)
Russia Criticized for Worsening Humanitarian Situation in Ukraine. -- (Moscow is prepared to take on this “great burden” without outside help)
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