Europe

Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias (right) and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat

Cyprus leaders hold another round of UN-backed talks

30 July 2009
Immigration, citizenship and asylum were again among the key topics of discussion today when Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders held their latest round of United Nations-backed talks on the possible reunification of the Mediterranean island.
The International Court of Justice

UN World Court sets date for public hearings on Kosovo independence

29 July 2009
The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the United Nations’ principal judicial organ, announced today that it will hold public hearings starting on 1 December on the question of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence early last year.
Vojislav Šešelj

Serb politician jailed by UN tribunal for identifying witnesses

24 July 2009
The United Nations tribunal for the former Yugoslavia today gave the leader of the Serbian Radical Party a 15-month jail term after finding him guilty of contempt of court for publishing the names of three protected witnesses in his war crimes trial.
ICTY courtroom

UN tribunal reverses contempt of court conviction of former Kosovo minister

23 July 2009
The United Nations war crimes tribunal set up in the wake of the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s today overturned the conviction of Kosovo’s ex-minister of culture, youth and sports for contempt of court for trying to intimidate a trial witness, but upheld the conviction on the same charge of one of his political advisers.
From left to right: Special Representative Tayé-Brook Zerihoun, Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias

Immigration and citizenship the focus of latest UN-backed Cyprus talks

23 July 2009
Immigration, asylum and citizenship issues topped the agenda during today’s round of the ongoing United Nations-backed talks between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders on the possible reunification of the Mediterranean island.

UN’s Geneva headquarters given ‘green’ seal of approval

23 July 2009
The United Nations’ Geneva headquarters has joined a select group of environmentally-friendly entities, having been awarded a prestigious certificate recognizing its ‘green’ efforts.
Ambassador Martin Palouš of the Czech Republic (centre) deposits instrument of ratification to the Rome Statute

Czech Republic becomes State Party to International Criminal Court

22 July 2009
The Czech Republic has become the latest country to ratify the Rome Statute, the pact that established the International Criminal Court and tasked it with trying people accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
Natalia Estemirova

UN experts offer help in investigating killings of rights defenders

21 July 2009
United Nations independent human rights experts today said that they stand ready to assist Russian authorities in carrying out an independent investigation into the recent string of murders of human rights lawyers, journalists and defenders, including the killing last week of Natalia Estemirova, a prominent activist looking into alleged rights abuses in Chechnya.
Milan Lukić (left) and his cousin Sredoje Lukić

Bosnian Serb cousins convicted by UN tribunal over horrific burnings

20 July 2009
The United Nations tribunal set up in the wake of the Balkan conflicts in the 1990s today convicted two Bosnian Serb cousins of war crimes, including the burning alive of scores of Muslim women, children and elderly men, an act the court said ranks among “the worst acts of inhumanity that a person may inflict upon others.”
Students at a UNDP-supported “e-School” in Albania

UN gives technological boost to 500,000 Albanian school students

20 July 2009
Almost half a million Albanian students now have access to modern computer laboratories, high-speed Internet and training in information technology skills thanks to a new United Nations-backed initiative aiming to improve their employment prospects.