where the fighting is ongoing and casualties have been reported. This raises concerns about the security of such corridors to ensure safe passage for those wishing to flee the hostilities. The armed groups have obstructed the international investigation into the crash of the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 that on 17 July killed all 298 passengers on board, despite an order by the President of Ukraine to implement a 40 kilometre ceasefire zone around the crash site, which is under the control of armed groups. Sporadic fighting made it impossible for international investigators to properly conduct their search, which had to be suspended on 6 August. In addition to the fighting, armed groups continued to commit killings, abductions, physical and psychological torture, ill treatment, and other serious human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law continued to be committed by the armed groups. It is unknown how many people remain in captivity, although it is estimated to be, at least, 468 people as of 17 August: some have been released by Ukraine forces as they regained control of territory; others have been released through negotiation, including through an exchange of detainee process, the payment of ransom or other means. The HRMMU also received reports of human rights violations committed by territorial battalions under the Ministry of Defence or special battalions under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This includes cases of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and torture.108 Allegations of such activities by these volunteer battalions must be investigated and the perpetrators held accountable. In addition, the relevant Ministries should exercise more control over these volunteer battalions, in particular instructing them in international humanitarian law. Everyone is reminded that efforts will be made to ensure that “anyone committing serious violations of international law including war crimes will be brought to justice, no matter who they are.”109 The Ukrainian forces increased operations to arrest people it allegedly suspects of subversive or terrorist activity, both in the east and in other regions of Ukraine. The Security Service of Ukraine and police have detained more than 1,000 people in the Donbas region, as of 16 August, because of “irrefutable evidence of their participation in terrorist activities.”110 The procedural rights of these people have not always been observed and there are reports of illtreatment during arrest or while in custody. Parliament approved three laws during its 12-15 August session that would significantly expand the powers of law enforcement bodies in relation to the security operation in the east. These include laws to expand the powers of the prosecutor and extending the period of preventive detention of suspects, which appear to be in conflict with international human rights standards, and to restrict the rights of due process and presumption of innocence. While acknowledging that security measures might require the adoption of specific provisions limiting certain guarantees, they must always be consistent with the norms, standards and procedures of international law.111 A new round of peace talks initiated by the President of Ukraine was held in Minsk on 31 July, with representatives of Ukraine, the Russian Federation and the armed groups, under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Agreement appeared to have been reached on securing safe access for the international investigators to reach the Malaysian Airlines crash site and on the release of a “sizeable number” of persons 108 Reported to HRMMU by a Ukrainian human rights organization on 30 July 2014. Statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, 28 July 2014. 110 Statement of Colonel Andrii Lysenko, spokesperson for the Information-Analytical Center of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, 3 August 2014. 111 Report of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detentions,E/CN.4/2004/3. 109 199 | P a g e