Foreign
THE United Nations has criticized the closure of three TV stations belonging to the pro-Russian opposition in Ukraine.
The decision was unjustified, disproportionate, and contrary to international human rights standards, the UN mission in Kiev said in a report published on Tuesday.
At the beginning of February, President Volodymyr Zelensky had imposed sanctions on Ukrainian politicians and their companies that are considered pro-Russian.
As a result, three pro-Moscow opposition TV stations were closed down.
According to the report, 12 civilians were killed in the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine between Feb. 1, and April 30, while 25 were injured.
This corresponds with the number of victims in the same period of the previous year.
But compared to the previous three months, there was an increase of 270 percent, they said.
The UN experts also criticized the Russian-backed separatists for conscripting young men into their forces.
Under international law, citizens cannot be forced to fight against their own state, the statement said.
Both the Donetsk and Luhansk insurgents had called up around 200 recruits each for the first time in March and April.
According to the separatists, this was done on a voluntary basis.
In spring, an increased number of violations of the agreed ceasefire and massive troop concentrations in eastern Ukraine and on Russian territory had led to concerns about a new escalation of the conflict.
Government troops have been fighting rebels backed by neighboring Russia in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions since 2014.
According to UN estimates, more than 13,000 people have been killed, a peace plan from 2015 is on hold. (dpa/NAN)
– June 01, 2021 @ 16:40 GMT
Tags: UN criticises closure of opposition TV stations in Ukraine
