Ukraine heading to `point of no return`: UN rights official

Zee Media Bureau/Supriya Jha Kiev: In light of increasing tension in southeast Ukraine, the ex-Soviet bloc risks sliding to an abyss of `no return`, a UN rights official told the BBC. Speaking to the BBC, Ivan Simonovic, Assistant UN Secretary-General for Human Rights has warned that Ukraine will head towards a “point of no return”, if no action was taken to thwart the violence. Ukraine, especially southeastern region, has been witnessing chaos and violence with the pro-Russian separatists clashing with government forces. In a UN human rights report on Ukraine in wake of increasing armed operations, Simonovic had expressed deep concern over the deteriorating plight of human rights situation in southern and eastern Ukraine, saying that at least 127 deaths had been reported.

Also, he talked about more than a hundred of illegal detentions in the affected regions. Ukraine has been in the throes of crisis since Feb 22 ouster of Viktor Yanukovych, which followed Crimea takeover by Russia in March.  Buoyed up by the Russian takeover of Crimea, separatists held referendums in Donetsk and Luhansk and declared thumping victory. The separatists have now also appointed Alexandr Borodai, the PM of the People`s Republic of Donetsk and now then plan to apply to Russia for union.