Europe

UN tribunal sentences wartime Croatian Serb leader to 13 years in prison

29 June 2004
The United Nations war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia today sentenced a former wartime Croatian Serb leader to 13 years in jail – longer than even prosecutors requested – for his role in what it described as a ruthless and savage ethnic cleansing campaign in the Krajina region of Croatia from 1991 to 1992.

UN agency says new plant diversity treaty will improve food choices

29 June 2004
As a global pact to preserve genetic plant diversity comes into force today, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) hailed the development as a boon to consumers who want more choice about what foods they eat.

UN refugee agency joins fight against HIV/AIDS

25 June 2004
The United Nations agencies for refugees and for HIV/AIDS have teamed up as part of the effort to strengthen the world body’s response to the global epidemic of the disease.
Amb. Lauro Baja, Council President

Security Council calls on Bosnia to abide by decisions to certify police

25 June 2004
The Security Council today called on the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to comply with decisions made under a United Nations certification process to weed out police officers whose past, particularly during the war, disqualified them from remaining on the force.
Antonio Costa

Illegal drug use slows, but treatment policies still need boost - UN report

25 June 2004
The spread of illicit drugs abuse has slowed after 50 years of significant growth, but more remains to be done to boost prevention and treatment policies around the globe, the United Nations says in a new report released today.
UNESCO head Koïchiro Matsuura

UNESCO chief condemns killing of journalists in Mexico, Philippines

25 June 2004
With two major journalists murdered this month, the Paris-based United Nations Educational, Social and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has condemned the killings and urged the protection of press freedom worldwide.

Annan urges States to unite in support of international law

23 June 2004
The world's States must unite and strengthen their commitment to upholding international law and defending the principles of the United Nations Charter, or risk giving "the enemies of order and human rights" a victory, Secretary-General Kofi Annan warned today.

UN health agency issues guidelines on safety of alternative medicines

23 June 2004
The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) today announced the publication of guidelines aimed at helping countries and consumers navigate the largely unregulated world of alternative medicines.

UN staffer killed in crossfire in Russian republic of Ingushetia

22 June 2004
A local staff member for the United Nations was killed last night during fighting between rebels and government forces in the Russian republic of Ingushetia, prompting the UN to review security arrangements for staff working in the northern Caucasus region.

UN environment agency teams up with Bayer AG to help young people

21 June 2004
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) today announced a €1 million (euro) yearly partnership with German-based chemicals and healthcare company Bayer AG to support the agency’s global strategy to involve young people in environmental issues.