http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=47584&Cr=Ukraine&Cr1=#.U1Fbl-ikdJ8
"15 April 2014 – While corruption and widespread inequality were among the root causes of the massive street protests that erupted last year in Ukraine, the fear-mongering and incitement to hatred that have followed must be urgently countered to avoid further escalation of tensions in the country, states a United Nations human rights report issued today.
Facts on the ground need to be established to help reduce the risk of radically different narratives being exploited for political ends. People need a reliable point of view to counter what has been widespread misinformation and also speech that aims to incite hatred on national, religious or racial grounds,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, who’s Office (OHCHR) released the report.
The report comes amid what senior UN officials describe as a “serious deterioration” of the situation in Ukraine. At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council this past Sunday, Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs, Oscar Fernandez-Taranco described the country as “teetering on the brink” after “well-armed and well-organized” armed groups began seizing Government buildings in cities throughout eastern Ukraine.
For months, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has been calling for restraint and for a direct and constructive dialogue between Kiev and Moscow. As part of his efforts, the UN chief spoke yesterday to Ukraine's acting President, Oleksandr Turchynov, to express his great concern over the ongoing disturbances and notably the reports of civilians being armed and activity by armed groups on both sides.
Earlier today, Mr. Ban spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed alarm about the highly volatile situation in eastern Ukraine and underlined that any deepening of the crisis would be profoundly detrimental for all concerned; hence the need for everyone to work to de-escalate the situation."
Facts on the ground need to be established to help reduce the risk of radically different narratives being exploited for political ends. People need a reliable point of view to counter what has been widespread misinformation and also speech that aims to incite hatred on national, religious or racial grounds,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, who’s Office (OHCHR) released the report.
The report comes amid what senior UN officials describe as a “serious deterioration” of the situation in Ukraine. At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council this past Sunday, Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs, Oscar Fernandez-Taranco described the country as “teetering on the brink” after “well-armed and well-organized” armed groups began seizing Government buildings in cities throughout eastern Ukraine.
For months, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has been calling for restraint and for a direct and constructive dialogue between Kiev and Moscow. As part of his efforts, the UN chief spoke yesterday to Ukraine's acting President, Oleksandr Turchynov, to express his great concern over the ongoing disturbances and notably the reports of civilians being armed and activity by armed groups on both sides.
Earlier today, Mr. Ban spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed alarm about the highly volatile situation in eastern Ukraine and underlined that any deepening of the crisis would be profoundly detrimental for all concerned; hence the need for everyone to work to de-escalate the situation."
