Europe

OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani.
UN Multimedia

Belarus: UN voices concern at sentencing of leading human rights defender

29 November 2011
The United Nations today voiced disappointment at the sentencing of a leading human rights defender in Belarus, and called on the authorities to immediately release all political opponents, activists and journalists jailed for exercising their rights.
The Archaeological Areas of Pompeii, in Italy, have been inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 1997.
UNESCO/J. Frias Velatti/Juan Frias Velatti

UNESCO unveils deal to help restore damaged Pompeii

29 November 2011
The United Nations cultural agency and Italy announced today that they have agreed to work together to restore Pompeii, the famed Roman-era archaeological site that was badly damaged by torrential rains late last year.
Special Representative Farid Zarif.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

Kosovo situation ‘precarious’ but offers prospects for overcoming tensions – UN envoy

29 November 2011
The situation in Kosovo remains precarious and poses certain dangers, as witnessed in recent clashes, but it also offers opportunities to overcome long-standing tensions that warrant the support of the international community, the top United Nations envoy there said today.
Special Representative Martin Kobler.
UN Photo/Bikem Ekberzade

UN envoy voices outrage at deadly bomb blasts in Iraqi city

25 November 2011
The top United Nations official in Iraq today strongly condemned the series of bomb attacks in the country’s southern city of Basra that has killed dozens of people and injured many more.

New laws in Belarus threaten basic human rights, UN experts say

24 November 2011
United Nations human rights experts spoke out today against newly adopted legislative amendments in Belarus, warning that the changes could severely curtail basic rights such as those of freedom of assembly, association and expression.

Hungarian laboratory the likely source of iodine outbreak, UN agency says

17 November 2011
A Hungarian laboratory is the most likely source of the outbreak of a radioactive particle recently detected in the atmosphere above parts of Europe, the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported today.
Security Council extends for one year the European Union mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
UN Photo/Evan Schneider

Security Council extends European peacekeepers in Bosnia

16 November 2011
The Security Council today extended for another year the European Union stabilization force (EUFOR) that is tasked with ensuring that all sides continue to comply with the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement that ended fighting in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Florence Hartmann

UN tribunal directs France to arrest former spokesperson

16 November 2011
The United Nations tribunal set up in the wake of the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s today ordered France to arrest a former tribunal spokesperson who has failed to pay a €7,000 fine imposed for contempt of court.
Ratko Mladic

UN tribunal orders medical examination of former Bosnian Serb military chief

16 November 2011
The United Nations tribunal set up in the wake of the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s today ordered a medical examination of Ratko Mladic, the former head of the Bosnian Serb armed forces who is being tried on genocide charges, to assess whether he is fit for trial.
High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina Valentin Inzko.
UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Security Council hears of political stagnation

15 November 2011
Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to stagnate politically mainly because of politicians’ reluctance to compromise and engage in dialogue, as well as their tendency to abuse the system, even as State institutions face functional and economic pressure that has undermined their efficiency, the Security Council heard today.