Announcement: report of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine will present its new report, covering the period between 16 August and 15 November 2018.

The report will be launched with a press conference at the Ukraine Crisis Media Centre, Khreshchatyk Street, 2 (Ukrainian house), Kyiv on Monday, 17 December 2018, 14:30. Ms. Fiona Frazer, Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, will present the report.

The findings of this report are based on 119 in-depth interviews with witnesses and victims of human rights violations, as well as site visits and trial monitoring. The report covers a wide range of violations that occurred throughout Ukraine, including in the conflict zone (on both sides of the contact line) and in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol.

The report provides a detailed analysis of the situation in areas affected by the hostilities, focusing on the most recent data on civilian casualties and the lack of compensation for death, injury, damage or destruction of property. It also describes how the hardships that people face while crossing the checkpoints along the contact line affect their access to pensions, social benefits, water, heating and healthcare. The report reiterates that the respect for human rights would lay the foundation for durable peace.

The report speaks about violations of the right to a fair trial, in particular, those related to forced confessions and violation of presumption of innocence. It also highlights some positive developments with regards to the investigation of killings at Maidan in February 2014.

Cases of violent attacks against journalists, civil society activists and defence lawyers, as well aspersistent lack of accountability are analysed in the report.

The report describes the human rights situation in Crimea, stating there were no signs of improvement asthe Russian Federation continued to disregard its obligations of an occupying power.

The press-conference will be English, with interpretation into Ukrainian and sign language. Copies of the new report and other materials will be available at the press briefing.

For more information or interviews, please contact: Iryna Yakovlieva at +380503868069or e-mail [email protected]