All Ukrainian law enforcement and military officials engaged in an operation to restore security in eastern Ukraine must adhere to international standards on the use of force and firearms, Amnesty International urged today. 

Journalists and officials being unlawfully detained and used as “bargaining chips” by a separatist armed group in eastern Ukraine must be released immediately, Amnesty International said, noting they could be at risk of torture and other ill-treatment. 

The excessive use of force by Spanish police and plans to strengthen repressive legislation are a damning indictment of the Spanish government’s determination to crush peaceful protest, said Amnesty International in a new report.