Security forces using excessive force in Ukraine and those complicit in violence should not go unpunished, the Council of Europe's Human Rights Commissioner Nils Muiznieks said Tuesday.
In a report about his February 5-10 official visit to Kiev, Muiznieks said excessive force used against peaceful protesters had injured hundreds of people and that at least 10 people lost their eyes because of rubber bullets.
"By the time of my visit, at least 5 deaths were linked to the violent events, and there had been some reports of abductions – including from hospitals - which are of grave concern," said Muiznieks.
The report, which also condemns the use of water cannons on protesters in extremely cold weather conditions, said the forces responsible should be brought before the court for the dignity of human rights in the country.
Muiznieks also criticized the police's cooperation with often-armed non-official auxiliary groups, which he said weakened Ukrainians' confidence in public security institutions.
"Reliance upon them greatly undermines public confidence in the police service as a neutral institution whose main function is to enforce the rule of law and to protect the rights and freedoms of all persons in the country," he said.
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