Europe

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) visits Chernobyl and addresses an event marking the 25th Anniversary of the nuclear disaster.
UN Photo/P. Filgueiras

On Chernobyl anniversary, Ban urges support for affected communities

26 April 2012
Marking the 26th anniversary of the worst nuclear power plant accident in history, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called on the international community to generously support Chernobyl-affected regions as they continue their efforts towards recovery and normalcy.
Credit: OHCHR
OHCHR

Independent UN expert calls on Russia to ensure better protection of cultural rights

26 April 2012
An independent United Nations human rights expert today called on Russia to ensure better protections so that everyone can fully participate in the cultural life of the country.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre) joins hands with Greek and Turkish Cypriot Leaders Demetris Christofias (left) and Dervis Eroglu.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Cyprus: not enough progress in talks to call for international conference – Ban

21 April 2012
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today informed the leaders of Cyprus' Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, Demetris Christofias and Derviþ Eroðlu, that there was not enough progress on key aspects of reunification talks to warrant holding an international conference on the divided Mediterranean island nation.
Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

UN human rights office calls on Belarus to free opposition leaders

20 April 2012
Following the release last week of two opposition leaders from prison in Belarus, the UN human rights office today called on the country’s authorities to begin dialogue with the opposition and to unconditionally release all prisoners who are serving sentences for exercising their fundamental human rights.
A woman is seen here food shopping at the market.
FAO/J. Spanner

UN food agency warns of looming health threats in Europe and Central Asia

18 April 2012
On the eve of a regional conference set to begin in Azerbaijan, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is warning that obesity and diet-related illnesses could emerge as major challenges for Europe and Central Asia, while hunger will only be a minor problem.
Credit: OHCHR
OHCHR

Denmark failed to protect rights of victims of 2004 racist attack, UN panel finds

16 April 2012
A United Nations human rights body has ruled that Denmark failed to investigate the racist nature of a 2004 attack on an Iraqi family, and called on the Government review its policy and procedures on the prosecution of alleged racial discrimination or racially-motivated violence.
FAO Director-General Graziano Da Silva (centre) at signing ceremony of partnership to manage stocks of obsolete pesticides.
FAO

UN agency to help 12 Eastern European countries get rid of obsolete pesticides

13 April 2012
The United Nation Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will support efforts by 12 countries in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia to manage their vast stocks of obsolete pesticides.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (right) meets with Hachim Thaçi, Representative of the Kosovo authorities.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Ban praises progress in dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, urges flexibility

11 April 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has praised progress made in the European Union-facilitated dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, saying the talks are creating a better foundation for peace and stability in the region.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

UN chief to embark on official visit to Switzerland, Belgium and Luxembourg

10 April 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will leave New York tomorrow for a trip to Switzerland, Belgium and Luxembourg, where he will meet with United Nations, European Union and national government officials, his spokesperson announced today.
Special Representative Farid Zarif.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

UN envoy condemns violent attack in northern Kosovo

9 April 2012
The United Nations envoy in Kosovo today strongly condemned a deadly bomb attack on Sunday morning at an apartment complex in the northern city of Mitrovica, and urged residents to stay calm as authorities investigate the incident.