Europe

Many communities in eastern Ukraine have been exposed to extreme levels of violence with heavy weapons, the remnants of which have been left behind in devastated towns and villages.
UNICEF Ukraine

UNICEF launches Ukraine mine awareness campaign amid ongoing civil conflict

31 March 2015
An estimated 109 Ukrainian children have been injured and 42 others killed by landmines and unexploded ordinance resulting from the Eastern European country's ongoing civil conflict, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said today as it reported on the recent launch of its lifesaving mine awareness campaign.
Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide.
UNFICYP

Cyprus: UN envoy ‘optimistic’ about re-start of structured negotiations

30 March 2015
The United Nations Special Adviser for Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, will return to the Mediterranean island on 6 April 2015 to follow up on the encouraging indications received during his last trip regarding a possible resumption of negotiations.
Special Rapporteur on torture Juan E. Méndez.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

Despite progress, Georgia needs to do more, says UN expert dealing with torture

19 March 2015
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture today praised the Government of Georgia for its positive advances in the treatment of prisoners since the October 2012 parliamentary election but cautioned that “there is still room for improvement and a need for anchoring.”
Residents walk along the main road of Nikishino village in eastern Ukraine.
UNHCR/Andrew McConnell

Ukraine crisis taking heaviest toll on women, children and elderly – UN officials

19 March 2015
Women, children and the elderly are disproportionately bearing the devastating impact of the protracted conflict in Ukraine, which has left five million people in need of humanitarian assistance, senior United Nations officials said today, as they stressed the “grave and urgent need” to scale up international relief efforts.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) at a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni of Italy in Rome.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

UN chief urges more global support to resolve Libya crisis as he meets with Italian leaders

18 March 2015
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today stressed the importance of international support as the United Nations seeks to promote dialogue to resolve the crisis in Libya, as he met with senior Italian officials in Rome.
Cécile Pouilly, spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
OHCHR

UN ‘disturbed’ at alleged rights abuses by politicians in former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

17 March 2015
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said today that it is deeply concerned about the prolonged political impasse in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and its human rights implications.
Tens of thousands of desperate people are attempting to cross the Mediterranean and reach Europe in dangerous boats like these in Libya.
UNHCR/F. Noy

UN proposes ‘bold and innovative’ measures by Europe to reduce lives lost at sea

12 March 2015
The United Nations refugee agency announced today that it has sent a letter to the European Union asking for a robust search-and-rescue operation in the Mediterranean Sea as part of a number of “bold and innovative” solutions to prevent more refugees and migrants losing their lives at sea.
A family of Ukrainians return to their home area in eastern Ukraine, after receiving aid from UNHCR.
UNHCR/A. McConnell

Ukraine: UN aid agency concerned by ‘dire’ conditions facing civilians in conflict areas

10 March 2015
The United Nations refugee agency said today that it is “extremely concerned” about the worsening humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine, particularly in areas controlled by anti-government forces, with the civilian population in those areas now lacking access to benefits and services previously provided by the central authorities.
Security Council meets on cooperation between the UN and the European Union.
UN Photo/Evan Schneider

Ban says UN-EU strategic partnership key as world faces multiple crises

9 March 2015
The development of a strong partnership between the United Nations and the European Union (EU) is increasingly critical as global crises intensify in complexity and multiply in scope, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared today.
The Security Council discusses the situation in Ukraine.
UN Photo/Loey Felipe

Ukraine: 'the road ahead will be difficult' UN political chief tells Security Council in briefing

6 March 2015
As the Security Council this morning met to hear briefings from top United Nations officials on the political, humanitarian and human rights situations in Ukraine, members heard that the eastern part of the country remains “in limbo.”