UN urges Russia to end rights abuses in CrimeaNovember 16, 2016 - 11:14 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - UN member states have approved a resolution condemning Russia's occupation of Crimea and calling for rights monitors to be allowed onto the peninsula. Ukraine says there's been a rise in abuses against local residents, Deutsche Welle reports. The UN General Assembly's human rights committee backed the Ukraine-drafted resolution 73 votes to 23 with 76 abstentions. The document reaffirms the UN's commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty over Crimea and urges Russia to immediately end all abuses against the Black Sea territory's residents, including "arbitrary detentions, torture and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment, and to revoke all discriminatory legislation." Moscow annexed Crimea in March 2014 after months of protests in Kyiv led to the ouster of the former Moscow-friendly president, Viktor Yanukovich. One month later, pro-Russian separatists launched an insurgency in eastern Ukraine. Ahead of the vote, Russia urged the committee to reject the resolution, calling it "politically motivated." China, Iran, India, Syria, South Africa, Kazakhstan, Serbia and North Korea joined Russia in voting against the text, but it was ultimately approved with backing from the United States, France and Britain. The resolution is expected to be formally adopted by a similar vote before the full 193-member assembly next month. Human rights groups have voiced concern over the repression of Crimea's Muslim Tatar minority and the erosion of freedom of expression in the Black Sea territory over the past two years. Local authorities have barred at least two Crimean Tatar leaders from entering the peninsula, shut down Crimean Tatar media outlets, and prohibited peaceful gatherings. The draft resolution condemns discrimination against the ethnic group and calls on Russia to revoke a decision to ban the Crimean Tatar's self-governing body, and to allow cultural and religious institutions to reopen. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |