41. The continuation of protests reflects a variety of demands, some supporting the unity of Ukraine, some opposing the Government of Ukraine, and some seeking decentralisation or federalism, with others looking at separatism. 42. The HRMMU has observed various rallies in support of Ukraine, its unity and territorial integrity that took place between 17-21 April in various towns, including Kyiv, Donetsk, Luhansk, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Khartsyzsk (Kharkiv region) and Odesa. Each peacefully gathered approximately 300 - 2,000 people. Further examples of peaceful protest took place on 28 and 29 April in Chernivtsi and Uzhgorod (western Ukraine) against the deployment of military and riot police to the south-east regions of Ukraine. 43. The HRMMU observed other rallies that aimed to: promote social and economic rights; demand an increase to social benefits and salaries; an end to corruption; and the improvement in governance. On 9 April, a peaceful protest of some 200 representatives of small businesses took place in Zaporizhzhya (south Ukraine) seeking an end to illegal markets and corruption. On 1 May in Kyiv, a peaceful rally took place demanding political change, constitutional reform, early Parliamentary elections, an increase of salaries and social benefits. 44. A number of peaceful assemblies supporting “federalism” have been observed by the HRMMU in Donetsk, Kharkiv, Luhansk and Odesa. 45. At the same time there were a number of examples when such peaceful rallies turned violent. The HRMMU is concerned with repeated acts of violence against peaceful participants of rallies, mainly those in support of Ukraine’s unity and against the lawlessness in the cities and villages in eastern Ukraine. In most cases, local police did nothing to prevent violence, while in some cases it openly cooperated with the attackers. For example, on 6 April, 1,000 pro-Russian activists attacked an improvised gathering by several dozen supporters of Ukraine’s unity in Severodonetsk in Luhansk Region. Six of the pro-Ukrainian activists sought medical assistance. 46. On 13 April, pro-Russian activists attacked a peaceful rally in support of Ukraine’s unity in front of Mariupol City Police Department. Nineteen participants of the rally were taken to the hospital with injuries of varying severity. 47. On 13 April, the HRMMU observed pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian rallies being held at the same time in close proximity in Kharkiv. While the presence of the police had for most of the time managed to keep the two sets of supporters apart, the situation broke down towards the end of both events. As many of the pro-Ukrainian activists were leaving their rally, they were attacked by the pro-Russian activists who broke through the police chain. Some people who did not manage to escape, were surrounded and then beaten severely. At least 16 persons were wounded; with some admitted to hospital. The police initiated criminal proceedings on the grounds of hooliganism that led to people being injured, under Part 4 of article 296 of the Criminal Code. 40 | P a g e