Human Rights Watch Daily Brief, 23 May 2014

The conflict between pro-Ukraine and separatist forces in the east of Ukraine led to one of its bloodiest days yet on Thursday, with up to 17 Ukrainian soldiers killed. With its crucial May 25 presidential election just days away, Ukraine is in the throes of a human rights crisis, with serious violations on both sides. Meanwhile there are already reports of fresh clashes breaking out again this morning. Meanwhile, another country in political turmoil is also gearing up for presidential elections. Egyptians go to the polls on Monday, with the country's former army chief, Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, expected to win comfortably. But there are major question marks about whether the polls will be free and fair.  "What little remains of Kenya's shaky reputation for respecting basic refugee rights is fast disappearing." That's the stark warning from Human Rights Watch today, as it confirmed that Kenya has deported some 359 Somalis since the start of a new security crackdown that began last month. The authorities have not allowed any of them to challenge their removal back to conflict-ridden Somalia.  Vigilantes in the Philippines have killed kids, drug dealers, and petty thieves. But the government that paid their salaries insists they don't exist. More on HRW's revelations of brutal death squads and extrajudicial killings…