A UN Human Rights report says that misinformation, propaganda and incitement to hatred need to be urgently countered in Ukraine to avoid the further escalation of tension in the country.
The report by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights looks at the root causes of the protests that have taken place since November 2013, including corruption and widespread economic inequality, as well as the lack of accountability for human rights violations by the security forces and weak rule of law institutions.
It also assesses the human rights situation in Crimea, including in the context of the 16 March referendum, and makes recommendations for the way forward.
The publication is based on information collected during two missions to Ukraine by the Assistant Secretary General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic in March.
Speaking today (15 Apr) to reporters in Geneva, the head of the human rights European department Gianni Magazzzeni said that Simonovic “refers to information that he has received from the mission goes into the direction of people having voted multiple times, the context not being free and fair in the sense that with the paramilitaries with the so called self defense forces large display of forces in the street all and around Crimea there are issues of concern from the point of view of human rights as well.”
Magazzeni added “we have recommendations addressed to the authorities in Crimea. The main point there is that they have obligations vis-a-vis those who live in Crimea and those obligations go beyond the questions of their legal or political status. These are obligations that derive from the fact that human rights do not stop at legal borders and that we can not afford to have protection gaps because of situations in so called protracted conflicts or territories that are not fully recognised.”
He also said “the government of Ukraine is doing all what is necessary in order to address some of the underlying human rights issues and trying to prepare the country for the elections on 25th May.”
Finally, Magazzeni stressed “the report says we do not have any credible evidence of issues that would justify concern on the part of the Russian speaking population of Ukraine.”
Regarding the recommendations to the Government of Ukraine the reports noted to ensure accountability for all human rights violations committed during the unrest; ensure inclusivity and equal participation in public affairs and political life; prevent media manipulation by issuing timely and accurate information; combat intolerance and extremism; and implement as a matter of priority measures to effectively eradicate corruption.
Regarding the recommendations to the authorities in Crimea the publication noted to actively resolve cases of missing persons, grant access to places of detention; take all measures needed to protect the rights of persons affected by the changing institutional and legal framework, including citizenship; investigate all allegations of hate speech and media manipulation; and ensure the protection of the rights of all minorities and indigenous peoples.
courtesy: UNITED NATIONS