Council of Europe calls on Ukraine to strengthen legislation due to violence in Donbas

Muižnieks said today in Strasbourg during presentation of the report on humanitarian situation in Donetsk region, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"The national legislation [of Ukraine] regulating the punishment for enforced disappearances and the rights of the victims and their families should be reviewed to ensure that it is fully compatible with the relevant international standards," the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights said.

According to him, it is important to ensure effective investigation into any case containing indications of possible serious violation of human rights.

"There is multitude of challenges related to the investigation and prosecution of all those implicated in such abuses, including in the cases indicating the possible involvement of mercenaries and/or foreign fighters. That is why it is important to ensure full co-operation with the relevant international mechanisms which may provide assistance and expertise in this regard," Nils Muižnieks said.

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