Europe

Credit: OHCHR
OHCHR

UN urges better protection programme after Kosovo war crimes witness found dead

30 September 2011
An effective witness protection programme is crucial to ensure justice and end impunity regarding human rights violations in Kosovo, the United Nations said today, as it voiced concern that a key witness in a war crimes case was found dead this week.
Vojislav Šešelj

Jailed Serb leader loses bid to have UN war crimes court end case against him

30 September 2011
The United Nations war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia has rejected a request by the leader of the Serb Radical Party to discontinue proceedings against him, finding he had failed to prove that his right to trial within a reasonable period had been violated.

Children with disabilities in former Soviet countries face discrimination – UN

27 September 2011
Some 1.1 million children with disabilities in Central and Eastern Europe and the countries of the former Soviet Union are hidden away at home or in institutions, the United Nations reported today, calling on States that have not yet done so to sign a UN treaty guaranteeing their social inclusion.
Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

At UN, Russia urges international cooperation in global financial reform

27 September 2011
Russia called today for greater international cooperation to ensure better management of the global economic and financial systems, telling the United Nations that the Group of 20 developed and emerging economies can play a key role in carrying out the required changes.
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Novak Djokovic

Tennis ace heads to pre-school in Serbia to highlight UNICEF campaign

27 September 2011
Novak Djokovic, the world’s top tennis player and a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador, has visited a kindergarten in his native Serbia to spotlight the agency’s efforts to promote early childhood education in a country with low enrolment rates.
Prime Minister Sali Berisha of Albania

At UN, Albania criticizes Serbia over actions in northern Kosovo

27 September 2011
Albania has told the United Nations that it would like to develop and consolidate its relations with Serbia, but it also criticized Belgrade for maintaining control of three ethnic Serbian areas in northern Kosovo.
Foreign Minister Sergei Martynov of Belarus

Sanctions will not change Belarusian stance, General Assembly told

27 September 2011
International economic sanctions imposed against Belarus after the disputed handling of presidential elections late last year will not lead to a change in policy or attitude, the country’s Foreign Minister told the General Assembly’s annual general debate today.
Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States for the Holy See

Christians currently most persecuted religious group in world, Holy See tells UN

27 September 2011
Warning that Christians currently suffer more persecution because of their faith than any other religious group, the Holy See today told the United Nations the denial of religious freedom threatened peace and security and precluded integral human development.
Deputy Foreign Minister of Norway Espen Barth Eide

Norway calls for reforms and resources to strengthen the UN

27 September 2011
Norway today called for the strengthening of the United Nations to enable the Organization to serve the world effectively, noting that Member States have failed to ensure sufficient reform of the world body and equip it with the required resources to carry out its mandates.
Foreign Minister Elmar Maharram oglu Mammadyarov of Azerbaijan

Armenia and Azerbaijan express views on Nagorno-Karabakh during UN debate

27 September 2011
Top officials from Armenia and Azerbaijan have expressed their views during the General Assembly's annual general debate.