No further abductions have been reported on Tuesday in Crimea, but there are still 11 Ukrainian activists and military officers remaining in captivity. No Ukrainian military units are left on the territory of the peninsula.
Two more military officers were kidnapped on Monday — bringing the total number of people in captivity up to 11. Testimonies of victims and civil rights defenders claim that people in detainment were subjected to torture, beatings and even sexual harassment.
Two more Ukrainian military officers were kidnaped in Crimea. The total of 11 people are now missing. Journalists and activists, who were previously released, report about torture they were subjected to in Russian captivity. Human rights defenders claim a series of violation of fundamental rights and freedoms in Crimea.
Updates: Ukrainian authorities have begun responding to the humanitarian challenges in Crimea and are assisting citizens to depart the peninsula; several activists and Ukrainian military personnel are being held hostage in the Crimea; Separatists and the Russian military continue to storm Ukrainian military units.
The situation in the Crimea has entered a new and bloody phase. A Ukrainian soldier has been killed. Violent attacks on journalists haven’t ceased. 12 people are still missing
Following launches in Minsk and Brussels, join Index on Censorship for the UK launch of our important new policy paper ‘Belarus: Time For Media Reform’
Join Index at a presentation of a new policy paper on media freedom in Belarus on 19 February, 2014, 15.00 at the Office for Democratic Belarus, Rue de la Loi 42, Brussels.
As the conflict in Kiev continues to unfold, Ukrainian civil society activists say negotiations and urgent reaction of the international community are vital to resolve the crisis.
Legislation passed today seriously restricts freedom of expression and assembly, in a move the country's civil society calls “a constitutional coup d’état”.
