U.S. State Department urges parties to Donbas conflict to address problem flagged up in UN report

12:30, 04.06.2016 1 min read

The United States urges all parties in Ukraine to address the serious human rights violations pointed out in the report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, State Department spokesman Mark Toner has said.

"We actually read reports. We're deeply troubled that the conflict in Ukraine has now claimed over 9,000 lives, injured more than 20,000 people," he said at a briefing in Washington on Friday.

"We once again call on the so-called authorities in the separatist-controlled areas to cease their human rights abuses, including killings, tortures, ill treatment, illegal detention, forced labor, as well as restrictions on freedom of movement, peaceful assembly, and expression. We also call on them to allow in UN monitors whose mandate would cover the entirety of Ukraine, including Crimea and the eastern part of Ukraine," the spokesman added.

Toner also call on the government of Ukraine to ensure a prompt and thorough and transparent investigation and appropriate prosecution of all persons responsible for alleged incidents of abuses perpetrated by its forces, including those contained – that are described in the UN report.