Government corruption in Ukraine was cited in the U.S. report (AFP)
PRAGUE, March 8, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- The State Department said in its annual report on human rights worldwide that while Ukraine's human rights performance significantly improved in important areas, in a number of respects it remained poor.
The report says that the improvements followed the Orange Revolution. The accountability by police officers and prison conditions have become better after the change of power. The mass media became much more independent, and interference with freedom of assembly largely ceased. There are no reports of political prisoners in Ukraine.
However, the report says that in many aspects Ukraine's performance remains poor. It points to arbitrary or unlawful deprivation of life, politically motivated disappearances, and hazing in the Ukrainian army.
Corruption remained a serious problem in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the government, including the armed services. The report says police corruption continues to be a serious problem.
The report says prison conditions remain poor, though they are slowly improving as a result of reforms in the penal system.
The report says violence against women remains a serious problem, as well as trafficking in women.
For an overview of the State Department report, click here.