UN staff members during their recent visit to the conflict-torn east of Ukraine have documented widespread human rights violations and abuses in the area, said a report by the UN Human Rights Office released here on Friday.

"Enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment remain deeply entrenched practices, both in the territories controlled by the armed groups and in the territories controlled by the government," said the report.

The document highlighted that civilians living close to the line, separating the conflicting forces, are facing a severe landmine threat and experiencing a lack of freedom of movement.

The findings also suggested that about 2.7 million of people residing in the areas controlled by the armed groups were suffering from poor living conditions, as the access of humanitarian assistance to those territories was limited.

According to the latest UN estimates, some 9,371 people have been killed and 21,532 others wounded in fighting in eastern Ukraine that started in April 2014. Endit

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)