I.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.
The present report is based on the findings of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights
Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU)13 covering the period of 2 April - 6 May 2014. It
follows the first report on the human rights situation in Ukraine released by the Office of the
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on 15 April 2014.
2.
Since the issuance of the first report, the HRMMU has noted the following steps
undertaken by the Government of Ukraine to implement some of the recommendations from
the report. These include: the drafting of legislation on peaceful assembly; and the
development of a policy to prevent the negative stereotyping of minority communities in the
media.
3.
The HRMMU also notes the ongoing investigation by the Office of the General
Prosecutor into the gross human rights violations that were committed during the violent
Maidan clashes between November 2013 and February 2014 that resulted in the killing of
protesters and police, as well as allegations of torture and reports of missing persons. These
investigations need to be completed in a timely, independent, effective and impartial manner
to ensure accountability and justice for all, both victims and alleged perpetrators; the process
and the results of these investigations must be transparent.
4.
OHCHR appreciates that the Government of Ukraine has welcomed the HRMMU,
offering open and constructive cooperation. It has been forthright in providing information and
discussing with the HRMMU human rights concerns: right to life, liberty and security of
person, the freedoms of movement, peaceful assembly, expression and association, as well as
right to fair trial and equal access to justice without discrimination and the protection of the
rights of all minorities.
5.
The main findings and conclusions for the period covered by this report are:
i.
The Government of Ukraine is taking steps to implement the provisions of the Geneva
Agreement concluded on 17 April 2014.14 On the same day, the Cabinet of Ministers
of Ukraine issued an Order "On the organization of the discussion of amendments to
the provisions of the Constitution of Ukraine on decentralization of State power”. On
18 April, a parliamentary coalition suggested to all political parties represented in the
parliament to sign a memorandum of understanding regarding ways to resolve the
13
Concept note on the HRMMU is attached.
The Geneva meeting took place on 17 April 2014. As the result of the negotiations between the representatives
of Ukraine, EU, USA and Russian Federation in Geneva on 17 April 2014, an agreement was reached on initial
concrete steps to de-escalate tensions and restore security for all: (1) All sides must refrain from any violence,
intimidation or provocative actions; (2) All illegal armed groups must be disarmed; all illegally seized buildings
must be returned to legitimate owners; all illegally occupied public offices must be vacated; (3) Amnesty granted
to the protestors who left seized buildings and surrendered weapons, with the exception of those found guilty of
capital crimes; and (4) The announced constitutional process will be inclusive, transparent and accountable
carried out through a broad national dialogue.
14
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