U.N. monitors warn on human rights in east Ukraine, Crimea

Pro-Russian rebels temporarily reinforce trenches at a fortified rebel-held area on the outskirts of the eastern Ukrainian town of Slaviansk May 15, 2014. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis

GENEVA (Reuters) - Human rights violations have escalated in eastern Ukraine and serious problems are emerging in Crimea, United Nations monitors said in a report released on Friday.

The 34-strong U.N. monitoring mission's report, which covered the period from April 2 to May 6 and which Russia criticised as politically motivated, said police and local authorities in eastern Ukraine connived in illegal acts and the takeover of towns by armed groups, undermining the rule of law.