Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

MH17 only adds to grim toll on civilians in eastern Ukraine
CS Monitor ^ | July 28, 2014 | Lydia Tomkiw

Posted on 07/28/2014 2:54:42 PM PDT by Uncle Chip

A new United Nations report describes a “breakdown of law and order” and "egregious human rights abuses" in eastern Ukraine that date even before the conflict captured world attention over the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.

Conservative figures from the UN and the World Health Organization as of July 26 estimate at least 1,129 people have been killed and 3,442 have been wounded as fighting between the Ukrainian military and rebels ....

The report found “egregious human rights abuses have been committed in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine,” including abductions, extortion, torture, and executions while the areas have been under control of pro-Russian fighters.

People detained and abducted have included politicians, teachers, journalists, clergy members, and students....

“Deliberate targeting by armed groups” of public utilities, including water and electricity, has crippled the area while properties have been looted, banks robbed, and medical facilities have been forced to close....

Ms. Pillay said the downing of MH17 on July 17 “may amount to a war crime.” She did not place blame on any party directly.

The report refers to "armed groups," an apparent allusion to the unclear origin of many people supporting the Dontesk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic, the two main separatist umbrella groups in the conflict.

Findings also suggest that the rebels are “now being brought together under the central command” of a largely Russian-national leadership.

The “openly acknowledged and self-evident” change in the fighters’ abilities shows a dramatic shift from the somewhat “rag tag” group of fighters at the outbreak of the conflict.

The armed groups are locating their military assets in and conducting attacks from densely populated areas thereby putting the whole civilian population at risk.

(Excerpt) Read more at csmonitor.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: mh17; ukraine

1 posted on 07/28/2014 2:54:42 PM PDT by Uncle Chip
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Uncle Chip
Conservative figures from the UN and the World Health Organization as of July 26 estimate at least 1,129 people have been killed

Most of them innocent civilians killed by their own government.

2 posted on 07/28/2014 3:14:52 PM PDT by McGruff (If you repeat a lie enough times the uniformed will accept it as the truth.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: McGruff

That’s not what the UN report says —

And we know of 298 other innocent civilians who were killed by your comrades.


3 posted on 07/28/2014 3:25:26 PM PDT by Uncle Chip
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Uncle Chip
we know of 298 other innocent civilians who were killed by your comrades.

You should post that in Breaking News. Along with a link.

4 posted on 07/28/2014 3:27:43 PM PDT by McGruff (If you repeat a lie enough times the uniformed will accept it as the truth.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Uncle Chip

5 posted on 07/28/2014 3:57:15 PM PDT by Leo Carpathian (FReeeeepeesssssed)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: McGruff
You should post that in Breaking News.

I can't -- it's old news -- everybody knows it.

6 posted on 07/28/2014 4:03:24 PM PDT by Uncle Chip
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: McGruff

7 posted on 07/29/2014 3:18:47 AM PDT by wetphoenix
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson