The United Nations human rights office called on Ukrainian President Vikor Yanukovich on Friday, Jan 31 to abolish curbs on freedom of speech and assembly and the operation of NGOs, which were passed into law on Jan 16, according to Reuters.

"We are appalled by the deaths reported in recent days in Kiev, which should be promptly, thoroughly and independently investigated. We are also calling for an investigation into reports of kidnappings and torture," Rupert Colville, spokesman for UN rights chief Navi Pillay, told a briefing in Geneva.