US Rights Advocates Urge UN Investigation Into May 2014 Odessa Massacre

Fifteen US human rights activists are urging the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee to launch a probe into the civilian massacre that took place in the southern Ukrainian city of Odessa in May 2014, according to a petition submitted to the UN.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The activists, who signed the document, represent several advocacy groups, including United National Antiwar Coalition, Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space, as well as Veterans for Peace, among others.

"We the undersigned representatives of human rights organizations in the United States respectfully appeal to the United Nations Human Rights Committee to initiate an investigation into the massacre of 46 democracy protesters that took place May 2, 2014, in the city of Odessa, Ukraine," the petition stated.

The authors of the petition said they made the probe request to support the families of the massacre’s victims. They underscored that pro-Kiev forces are expressing opposition to the investigation.

"This contradiction alone should make clear which side wants the truth revealed and which side wants it to remain hidden," the petition stated.

On May 2, 2014, pro-Kiev radicals blocked anti-government protesters in Odessa's House of Trade Unions and set the building on fire by hurling Molotov cocktails inside. The tragic incident left some 50 people dead while the overall number of casualties exceeded 250.