European Rights Commissioner Criticizes Ukraine

Thomas Hammarberg (file photo) (Council of Europe) December 17, 2006 -- The Council of Europe's human rights commissioner today said incidents of police torture of detained suspects and hate crimes continue in Ukraine despite progress in protection of human rights.

Speaking in Kyiv, Thomas Hammarberg said problems persist in the country's judicial system, including corruption.

The Swedish diplomat also slammed cases of hate speech and hate crime in the country, citing mistreatment of members of both the Roma ethnic minority and the Muslim religious community.

(AFP)