operation of HRMMU. Although information continues to be gathered and verified, the present report with its preliminary findings is being publicly released already now with a view to contributing towards establishing the facts and defusing tensions. Impartial reporting on the human rights situation can help not only to trigger accountability for human rights violations, but it also aims at the prevention of manipulation of information, which serves to create a climate of fear and insecurity and may fuel violence. This is especially important with regard to eastern Ukraine. 36. In accordance with its objectives, HRMMU is gathering and verifying information with regards to particular cases of human rights violations and, more broadly, the overall human rights situation. Information is then assessed and analysed, thus contributing to accountability and reinforcing State responsibility to protect human rights. HRMMU is providing reports on the basis of information verified as credible and from reliable sources, and is advocating for measures to be taken by respective state institutions with a view to providing appropriate remedies. HRMMU is also undertaken in line with the SecretaryGeneral’s Rights Up Front Plan of Action, to ensure that the UN is aware of the human rights context and that OHCHR regularly provides analysis of main human rights concerns and risks of violations, and that a UN strategy is developed as necessary to address the situation at country, regional and global levels. The present report, in line with the UN General Assembly resolution on the ”Territorial Integrity of Ukraine”, underscores also the obligation of authorities in Crimea to ensure the protection of all the rights to which individuals there are entitled within the context of Ukraine’s ratified universal and regional human rights instruments. III. UNDERLYING HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS A. Corruption and violations of economic and social rights 37. Corruption remains one of the most serious problems in Ukraine and has affected all human rights, whether civil, political, economic or social, exacerbated inequalities, eroded public trust in state institutions including the justice system, led to impunity and undermined the rule of law. It may be noted that in 2013, Transparency International ranked Ukraine 144th out of 176 countries (the country being ranked first is considered the least corrupt). 38. There has been only patchy implementation of international commitments to tackle corruption made under the UN Convention against Corruption, which entered into force in December 2005 and was ratified by Ukraine four years later. A National Anti-Corruption Strategy for 2012 – 2015 was adopted by presidential decree in October 2011, but there is currently no comprehensive anti-corruption law in Ukraine. The Ministry of Justice informed the OHCHR delegation that a draft law containing provisions applicable to corruption in both the public and private sectors would be presented by the end of March. 39. Corruption has disproportionately affected the poor and the most vulnerable. It impacts negatively on the enjoyment by all of economic and social rights, including the right to health services. Health service allocations make up 3.5% of the country’s GDP, which falls well short of the minimum recommended by the WHO (7%). The poorest segment of the population cannot afford costly treatment in a situation where the country has no medical insurance system. 40. The Ministry of Health supports reform of management of medical services to move away from a centralized medical system and enable greater medical self-governance. 10 | P a g e