Migrants lives of migrants more dangerous. And torture around the world theres the topic of the week ahead. We begin in ukraine where residents in the east held a controversial vote on autonomy, taking a violent turn when gunmen tried to break up the vote. Amateur video by two different people shows the moment chaos breaks out. Well hshow it to you take a look. Gungun [ gunfire ]. The man you saw was tended to by others in the crowd. At least one is believed to have died. What you are seeing is a prorussian separatist killed in the shooting. Kievs interim government denies its forces were involved. We spoke to a journalist who witnessed the event. They started to shoot in the air, because more and more people came, and they were shouting. They started to shoot in the air, and then at the people. That happened a few times, you know, in a row, and then later on in the afternoon there were four fans coming, and they tried to get the guys inside out, and they were starting to shoot all around them. They were shooting at innocent people. No one had a gun. The only thing they did was throw an axe, and the people they were harmless and wanted to vote. They were shooting and were shooting at them at the back. Organizers say 90 of voters in one reason chose more autonomy. The single question do you support selfrule, prompting confusion, jonah hull reports from donetsk. Reporter hastily arranged, low budget. The referendum drew a large number of voters to small polling stations. At issue the question whether the region should split from the are the of ukraine. The government in kiev denounced the vote. I would luke to underline one more time, its not a referendum. Its an attempt by terrorists, bandits and killers to cover their activity by having citizens vote. Kievs words does not carry much weight among those keen to indoors the peoples republic of donetsk. How much autonomy the proposed peoples republic should have is vague. Big crowds turned out to vote. One question on the ballot paper, a simply yes or no. The problem is there are multiple interpretations of what it means. Translation we want to live with russia, in friendship. This woman is not sure what shes voting for. Translation i voted for our national republic. Translation i want peace in this country. I dont want the horrible mess from kiev that they created in the maydan, a war, the killing of people, and it conditions here. It is not easy to find a voice in opposition to all this. To do so we travelled to horlifka, firmly in antigovernment hands, where one man was prepared to talk to us, but didnt want to be identified. Translation a lot of people against federalization, and more for it. In general they did not understand the threat it poses and what can happen as a result. It appears that russia doesnt want us and we are parting from ukraine. Left on its own, well head towards catastrophe. The referendum has gone ahead despite calls from Vladimir Putin for a delay. In parts of the east racked by violence like here in mariupol. The government says the vote will tip the region into the abyss some feel its already happened. The u. S. State Department Says the referendum is illegal and creating further division and disunity. It was described as a disaster. We have this report. Reporter the security service, and the prosecutor general, warned local councils, local representatives that they could be criminally liable for complicity around the referendums, despite saying some principals of schools in the region, they say, had been pressured into becoming polling stations; that they were threatened with the use of violence. That is coming from Justice Minister. Out the authorities call this illegal, that its nothing more than an attempt by terrorists to cover up their crimes, and they are using the people of donetsk and lugansk in the process. We are told by the foreign minister that ukranian forces seized 100,000 prefilled ballot papers. We have not been able to verify that. That is what the Justice Minister is saying. We heard from the e. U. As well aring saying it will not saying it will not recognise the vote. Because its illegitimate, they said they will not recognise the outcome, its been determined by the selfappointed leaders in these regions, and its fair to say that when the people in the east come out with their results, that this will put pressure on authorities to deescalate the crisis, considering in two weeks today president ial elections will be held. Joining us from washington d. C. Is truman project fellow joel henning. Reports of prefilled out ballots, violence, in one city, the government of kiev calling it a disaster. What do you make of it . In terms of postsoviet elections in this part of the world, they are often messy, the idea of multiple people casting votes is commonplace. By that standard, this is, of course, an incredible farce, and its one that certainly is not going to be recognised by anyone outside the region. I think its been conducted under rare chaotic conditions. I think the Important Message is to think about where things go from here, particularly with respect to the national ukranian schedule for the end of this month. What do you think it means for the Ukranian National elections coming up . To the extent that the kiev government is not able to exercise control or influence over this part of the country does not seem to play a lot of the important functions of a sovereign state. An election across the country is risky at this point. Its hard to cop sieve of it being conceive of it being conducted in a capable way that everyone would feel is free and fair, placing everyone in an awkward position. This is what Vladimir Putin said and called for. The reality is if kiev government is not able to prevent the separatists holding a referendum. They are in no condition to issuing strait an election in two weeks time. Vladimir putin suggested that the votes be postponed. What does russia do if they declare independence and say okay, we need help from the Russian Troops to battle the independence. Vladimir putin is in the driving street. His mote is for driving seat. His motives for asking for a postponement is not clear. He doesnt have to do much, hell acknowledge the results of that referendum, but theres nothing forcing him to act upon it. Furthermore, therell be another referendum on what happiness if selfproclaimed republic decides to seek annexation by russia. I dont think he has a lot he has to do, and hell play it out over the next couple of weeks. Does he play it out pending what the government in ukraine and the Ukranian Army does. If they say okay, we are not accepting it, does that put pressure on Vladimir Putin to respond and say hey, we had a referendum. I dont think there has been pressure on Vladimir Putin, nothing has exerted pressure on Vladimir Putin to do anything. In an instant where the kiev government decides to do something, which will be odd after the referendum was held, but to the extent that they do something in Eastern Ukraine, its up to Vladimir Putin. Theyll use the results to say, look, this part of the country voted to be apart from ukraine, you are violating the selfproclaimed will of the region, what he does is unclear. He excerpts a lot of heavy influence on this part of the community. Its not clear hed have to invade. Its mysterious when we look at the sanctions from the west. The circumstances are such that elections as mentioned earlier are not possible and Vladimir Putin continues to do everything to make them extremely unlikely or impossible. As far as the United States position on all of this, secretary of state john kerry, other than describing the referendum as not legal, is there anything in particular youll be looking for from the Obama Administration over the next two weeks . I think theres not much more they can do other than ignore them and hold out the evidence that indicates how they were held and have nothing to do with the broader country of ukraine, theres nothing legitimate about them. Thinking about the wisdom of Holding Elections in a few weeks time, given what we are seeing here, given the fact that the kiev government did not do anything really visible to try to prohibit or prevent the referendum from taking place. Thats problematic, and i think its something that the u. S. Government will look at closely as they think about next steps and what they do with kiev, and moving towards the elections or the process that they arrive at. Jobe with the truman programme in washington d. C. Thank you for being on the programme. Thank you, david. [ chanting ] nigerias government is under growing pressure tonight to find 276 missing school girls. The countrys president says hes optimistic that International Help will make a difference. The girls were kidnapped nearly a month ago by boko haram. Across nigeria churches and mosques have been paying tribute. We have more from abuja. Reporter almost a month after the abduction of the girls, nigerians are praying for their release. Congregations are called on to say special prayers, many responding in abuja. Its important to pray for the girls. After exploring all options in terms of a government and trying to make attempts to rescue the girls, we need a ritual. The Nigerian Catholic Church urged nig eerians to pray, instd of trading blame and accusations. At the mosque clerics say worshippers have been praying for the girls. The governor of the borno state, where the girls were kidnapped called for three days of fasting. This brought a sense of unity, solidarity, together innocence, regardless of peoples faith tribe and geographical location. Its a concern to all of us. Many nigerians welcomed u. S. And u. K. Assistance. Protesters say they need to keep the pressure going, and want to make sure the government does not relent until the search and rescue efforts yield results. Fighting broke out in south sudan just hours after a new ceasefire fook effect. The government took effect. The government and rebels blame each other. A u. N. Official says there were clashes in bentiu. Forces loyal to the former deputy have been fighting the government since december. Both agreed to a ceasefire on friday after meeting face to face in ethiopia. The conflict killed thousands, displacing more than a million others. There has been an al qaeda revenge attack killing a dozen soldiers in yemen. A car bomb rocking a military building. Al qaeda fighters are believed to be retaliating against a campaign to crush them. We report from sanaa. Reporter what we know is a suicide bomber drove a car packed with explosives into the building of the military police, killing 11 soldiers, injuring 18 people. Part of that building was destroyed, and search is under way for people buried upped the rub under the rubble. Theres no claim for responsibility. Many think the only group with the capability to launch an attack is al qaeda in the peninsul peninsula. Many attacks have been launched by this group in 2002, and spectacular attack against is a french oil tanker in 2009, killing western tourists in the area and launched many, many attacks against Security Forces in that same area. That attack came hours after an attack in the capital sanaa on a military checkpoint near the president ial palace an area that is supposed to be secure. Not far from there is the headquarters of the intelligence. People here are pretty much concerned about al qaeda taking the fight to the heart of the capital. Two days before iran rejoins the west for Nuclear Talks the Supreme Leader is striking a defying tone. Ayatollah khomeini says the miss ill capability should not be on the table. It is an idea otic inspection, if you want to raise the missile programme, you should not publicly threaten us. Western countries would like to talk about the Ballistic Missiles which could be used to deliver nuclear war head. Khomeini says it should not be the topic. Rival president ial candidates in afghanistan are teaming up to head off a run off. Results show Abdullah Abdullah with almost 40 of the vote. We have a report on an alliance that could help him cinch the election. Reporter former rivals, now on the same side. The deal sealed with a prayer after Zalmai Rassoul announced hed endorse Abdullah Abdullah. Zalmay rassoul, who fashed third said he finished third in the first round said he made it the decision for the sake of unity. We are supporting Abdullah Abdullah he shares the same hopes and aspirations i have for afghanistan. The former foreign minister who stepped down to take part in the poll could gain considerably from his endorsement. Political analysts say his decision secured him a place in Abdullah Abdullahs upper circle. We asked the man widely expected to be the next president if he will offer Zalmai Rassoul a role in his go. Government. Absolutely, we form different teams, and we are part of one team, not his team, my team. From this point onwards we are running and form government together. Its not just Zalmai Rassoul who benefits. Outgoing President Hamid karzai could do. He is barred from a third term in office and stayed publicly neutral in the election. Diplomats in kabul said he received distrot backing from the president in the early staples of the campaign, meaning hamid karzai is all but assured an inside are in the government. Zalmai rassoul, popular said his support for Abdullah Abdullah from the north could be a balance maker in the Runoff Election due next month. A secondround vote is said to be between the front runner and former world bank economist. A sure thing is rare. Anything can happen before the final results are in. Zalmai rassouls support is as close as one can get. Theres more ahead, including details on the train thousands of immigrants use to get to the u. S. Border. Why it is getting tougher for them to ride the beast, in a live report from mexico city. A new report highlighting a growing problem. Despite laws against if many countries use torture. Thats the topic of the week ahead coming is a train featured in our groundbreaking documentary board border land, nicknamed the beast many have been banned riding it. The train ride offers a chance for migrants to reach the states. Because of harsh conditions faced by migrants, volunteers living near the train ride offer stow aways food. Adam raney is in mexico with more. Reporter according to this report and what we have seen first hand theres a ban for migrants getting on the train. As many things in mexico, the rules made are not always followed. We have seen migrants riding the rails, the beast, since the ban was put in place. We met women along the tracks, every day they go out to meet the trade, bringing food for those that want to get off the train, and those showing up on not. They allow them to stay at their shelter. Despite the ban, people are getting on in smaller numbers, as you see in this report. Reporter meet this group of women they feed the migrants riding the train that carries them north to the u. S. Border. Their leader norma has been doing this for almost 20 years. Waiting for the train. Its known as the beast, and carries migrants from Central America to mexico. Back at the shelter she asks new arrivals why they left home. I left honduras because there is in no work. We cant live there because of crime. My children couldnt go to school. One of my sons has been killed. Thats why he brought his youngest son on this journey. Like countless mothers before her. She left her children. Six of them, in guatemala. My children were asking me for things i couldnt buy. All i could do was give them my heart. Norma sees their pain is soothes it the only way she knows how offering them a homecooked meal. It doesnt matter where they are fro. They are hungry and they need to leave. Leaving their family is not easy. Norma finally has support for those in power. Mexicos president awarded the pretonus the human rights award for helping migrants. Translation they are easy prey for those ta abuse them. When they cant pay they are thrown off the train, or mutilated. Now they have a few moments to pack the food and toss to hungry migrants. When a full train comes, the work is fast and dangerous. Migrants on board feel a rush of excitement. Reporter this day, like every other day, they come to the tracks to give food to hundreds of migrants. Increasingly many are not getting on the trains because its to dangerous. Some are walking along the highway. Some are walking in the trains wake. This father and son left hondure as three months ago and saw migrants tossed off the beast and have been walking the rails since. They hope to reach the u. S. One day. Its poignant to see them walking along the rail, through mexico is that a good way to reach the border . From what i have seen, its statistically possible. Its nearly impossible. Theres miles and miles to go, well more than 1,000. Its hundreds of thousands of kilometres. They are penniless. The father and son have no money, and rely on charity, like from the women. While they rely on charity, they are easy prey. The train some ride on it because its faster, but walking through mexico has dangers. You go through the towns, theres criminal gangs who prey on migrants, kidnap them, extort them and make them disappear sometimes. Some people maybe will walk the distance, but its very, very ub likely unlikely. Adam raney with an amazing report. A special programming note the cast members are coming together to talk about their experiences. Thats tonight. Here on Al Jazeera America. Next, torture around the world. The week ahead looks at how prevalent the practice is, and what can be done to help the survivors. Welcome back to Al Jazeera America, here is a look at the top stories. [ gunfire ]