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UN rights envoy cancels visit to Crimea

United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic, speaks during a press conference at the UN base in Juba, on January 17, 2014.
United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic, speaks during a press conference at the UN base in Juba, on January 17, 2014. Phil Moore/Getty Images

The U.N. says Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic has cancelled a visit to Crimea primarily because the airport is closed to flights coming from other parts of Ukraine.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Simonovic was in Kharkiv in pro-Russian eastern Ukraine on Tuesday and plans to travel to Lviv in the pro-European west on Wednesday to assess the human rights situation.

READ MORE: Ukraine’s Crimea seeks to become independent state

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“What he decides to do over the next few days is really to be seen,” Dujarric said.

Dujarric said Simonovic is discussing allegations of human rights violations, rights-related measures that can help de-escalate tensions, and options for the U.N. to strengthen the protection and safety of minorities.

WATCH: EU-Russia trade talks to proceed as scheduled

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