This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27438422

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Ukraine crisis: UN sounds alarm on human rights in east Ukraine crisis: UN sounds alarm on human rights in east
(about 1 hour later)
The UN has warned of an "alarming deterioration" in human rights in eastern Ukraine, where separatists are fighting security forces.The UN has warned of an "alarming deterioration" in human rights in eastern Ukraine, where separatists are fighting security forces.
It also found "serious problems" of harassment and persecution of ethnic Tatars in Crimea, the mainly ethnic Russian region Moscow annexed in March.It also found "serious problems" of harassment and persecution of ethnic Tatars in Crimea, the mainly ethnic Russian region Moscow annexed in March.
The conclusions are contained in the UN's monthly report on the crisis. Russia condemned the report, saying it ignored abuses by Ukraine's government.
Deadly violence between separatists and pro-Ukrainian forces has left dozens dead in the east and south this month. Violence between separatists and pro-Ukrainian forces has left dozens dead in the east and south this month.
"Those with influence on the armed groups responsible for much of the violence in eastern Ukraine [must] do their utmost to rein in these men who seem bent on tearing the country apart," UN human rights chief Navi Pillay said in Geneva, as the 37-page monitoring report was released. Separatists control towns in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where they have been skirmishing with units of the Ukrainian security forces, sent in to reassert government control.
The UN's report reveals a growing lawlessness in eastern and southern Ukraine: The revolt in the east gained momentum after Russia annexed Ukraine's mainly ethnic Russian region of Crimea in March.
Moscow acted after the overthrow of Ukraine's elected pro-Russian President, Viktor Yanukovych, during unrest in the capital Kiev in February, and his replacement with an interim government, backed by Ukrainian nationalists.
A new Ukrainian president is due to be elected on 25 May.
'Tearing Ukraine apart'
The UN's conclusions are contained in a 37-page report, its second monthly assessment of the situation.
UN human rights chief Navi Pillay said in Geneva: "Those with influence on the armed groups responsible for much of the violence in eastern Ukraine [must] do their utmost to rein in these men who seem bent on tearing the country apart."
The UN's report details growing lawlessness in eastern and southern Ukraine:
UN monitors have also documented cases of targeted killings, torture and abduction, primarily carried out by anti-government forces in eastern Ukraine.UN monitors have also documented cases of targeted killings, torture and abduction, primarily carried out by anti-government forces in eastern Ukraine.
Journalists and international observers have been threatened, some have been abducted or attacked. The report highlights threats to journalists and international observers, and abductions or attacks on some.
In its response, Russia's foreign ministry said the report lacked any semblance of objectivity, and accused its authors of following "political orders" to whitewash Ukraine's new, pro-Western leaders.
The report, it said in a statement in Russian, ignored "the crudest violations of human rights by the self-proclaimed Kiev authorities".
Citizen patrols
Separatists in Donetsk announced on Thursday they were setting up their own parliament and were planning to open the border with Russia shortly.
While tension persists in the east, a third-party initiative to restore basic law and order in one troubled city appears to be having some success.
Steelworkers in the flash-point port of Mariupol have begun citizen patrols after talks between officials from their company Metinvest, which is owned by oligarch Rinat Akhmetov, and local police and community leaders.
There are conflicting reports as to whether separatists in the city are backing the initiative too.
Gherman Mandrakov, who led the occupation of government buildings in Mariupol, told the Associated Press news agency on Friday he had been forced to vacate them. "Someone is trying to sow discord among us, someone has signed something, but we will continue our fight," he said.
Metinvest employees could be seen on Friday removing barricades in Mariupol.
Mr Akhmetov, Ukraine's richest man, was the main financial backer of deposed President Yanukovych and remains a powerful figure. He has called for the east to remain inside a "united Ukraine".
Analysts say he is finding it increasingly difficult to maintain a neutral line in the east, where he has his main assets.
"He has understood that his tactic of passive neutrality no longer works," analyst Volodymyr Fesenko told Reuters news agency. "He will have to become an active intermediary between separatists and the government."
Are you in the Donetsk or Luhansk region, or elsewhere in Ukraine? Will you be voting in the presidential election on 25 May? What do you think of the "self-rule" referendums? You can send us your thoughts by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "Ukraine".
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions