Europe

The Secretary-General’s acting Special Representative for Kosovo, Farid Zarif, addresses the Security Council

Recent troubles in Kosovo a ‘wake-up call’ to resolve underlying issues – UN envoy

30 August 2011
The recent troubles in northern Kosovo highlight the need for all sides to refrain from unilateral action that could escalate tensions and to resolve underlying issues through dialogue, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today.
Shefqet Kabashi, a former member of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA)

Key Kosovo witness at UN war crimes trial pleads guilty to contempt of court

26 August 2011
A key witness today pleaded guilty to contempt of court for refusing to testify in the trial at a United Nations war crimes tribunal of former Kosovo prime minister Ramush Haradinaj on charges of crimes against humanity.
Child receives polio vaccine

UN hails Europe’s retention of polio-free status as ‘tremendous news’

25 August 2011
Europe will retain its status as a polio-free region after Member States took satisfactory steps to combat an imported outbreak of the debilitating and sometimes fatal disease last year, in what the United Nations health agency hailed as “tremendous news.”
Shefqet Kabashi

Key witness in Kosovo war crimes case handed over to UN tribunal

18 August 2011
Dutch authorities today handed over to the United Nations war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia a key witness cited for contempt for refusing to testify in the trial of former Kosovo prime minister Ramush Haradinaj on charges of crimes against humanity.

Human rights defenders must be able to work in safety, UN tells Azerbaijan

16 August 2011
The United Nations today voiced its concern at the destruction of property housing several important non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in Azerbaijan, and called on the country’s Government to ensure safe working conditions for human rights defenders.
An Italian coastguard vessel, carrying 142 people rescued at sea after fleeing Tripoli, prepares to dock at Lampedusa harbour. (May 2011)

Thousands still arriving on Italy’s shores from Libya and Tunisia – UN agency

16 August 2011
People are continuing to flee Libya and Tunisia for a variety of reasons, the United Nations refugee agency reported today, noting that almost 2,000 people arrived on the Italian island of Lampedusa over the weekend from the two North African nations.

UN-backed tsunami warning system for the Mediterranean passes first test

10 August 2011
The first test of the communication network of the United Nations-backed tsunami early warning system for the North-eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean was carried out successfully today, paving the way for the establishment of regional tsunami warning centres.
Harri Holkeri (far right) in 2000 with then Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Security Council President Moctar Ouane, and former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela

UN mourns loss of former General Assembly President Harri Holkeri of Finland

9 August 2011
Top United Nations officials have expressed their condolences to the family of the former Finnish prime minister, Harri Holkeri, who also served as President of the 55th session of the General Assembly.

Belarus: UN calls on authorities to ensure well-being of detained rights defender

5 August 2011
The United Nations today voiced its concern about the arrest of the prominent Belarusian human rights defender Ales Bialatski and called on authorities to guarantee his well-being.
UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing Raquel Rolnik.
UN Photo/Ryan Brown

UN rights experts urge UK to resolve eviction threat for Irish Travellers

5 August 2011
Two United Nations independent human rights experts today urged the United Kingdom Government to find an appropriate solution to the problem of 86 Irish Traveller families faced with forced eviction from their homes due to an alleged violation of planning regulations.