Russia slams UN report on human rights in UkraineMay 16, 2014 - 17:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia criticized a UN report on human rights in Ukraine on Friday, May 16, saying it lacked any semblance of objectivity, and accused its authors of following "political orders" to whitewash the pro-Western leadership, according to Reuters. The Foreign Ministry said the report “demonized pro-Moscow separatists in eastern Ukraine” while ignoring “the crudest violations of human rights by the self-proclaimed Kyiv authorities.” “UN monitors found an alarming deterioration in the situation in the east and serious problems emerging in Crimea, which has been annexed by Russia,” UN human rights chief Navi Pillay said in a statement accompanying the report. Russia said the report "cast doubt on the independence and impartiality" of the UN human rights body. "The complete lack of objectivity, glaring disparities and double standards leave no doubt that its authors carried out a political order to whitewash the self-proclaimed authorities in Kyiv," the ministry said in a statement. It said the report's authors had tailored information from sources "to fit preconceived conclusions: the justification of the Kyiv junta and the demonization of the protest movement in the southeast". Russia accuses the United States and the European Union of helping Ukraine's current leaders topple former President Viktor Yanukovych, and denies Western allegations that it supports the separatists in the east. Moscow does not recognize the legitimacy of the new Kiev leadership and refers to it as a junta. 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. |