Europe

Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus Miklós Haraszti.
OSCE/Ilgar Hasanov

UN rights expert urges ‘broad reform’ of oppressive media governance in Belarus

6 November 2015
In a report to the General Assembly, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus called on the country to start reforming its laws and practices that have for two decades stifled its citizens' right to freedom of expression.
UNHCR staff welcome newly arrived Syrian refugees at the Kara Tepe site on the Greek Island of Lesvos and provide information regarding the site and the registration process.
UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis

‘Boats packed with thousands of new arrivals’ continue to land in Greek Islands – UN refugee agency

6 November 2015
Despite a four-day shipping strike that affected refugees, migrants and host communities, the United Nations refugee agency has continued its work in the Greek Islands, where an estimated 20,000 refugees and migrants are currently staying, placing considerable strain on the limited reception facilities of several islands.
Leader of the Turkish Cypriot Community Mustafa Akinci.
UN Photo/Amanda Voisard

Ban welcomes decision by Turkey to provide access to burial sites in north of Cyprus

5 November 2015
Following a confirmation from the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mr. Mustafa Akinci, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the decision by Turkey to allow access to the Committee on Missing Persons excavation teams, to 30 suspected burial sites in the military areas in the north of Cyprus.
A refugee huddles up against the cold on the border between Serbia and Croatia.
UNHCR/Mark Henley

More funds needed to cope with 5,000 daily refugee arrivals as winter hits Europe – UN agency

5 November 2015
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today appealed to donors for more than $95 million to make sure emergency shelters are equipped with heating and ensure other measures are in place to protect from the harsh winter weather the unrelenting flow of refugees and migrants arriving in Greece and travelling through the Balkan countries.
UN humanitarian chief Stephen O’Brien speaks with an elderly resident in Tsentralniye village, in Luhansk, Ukraine.
OCHA

Ukraine: UN humanitarian chief calls for urgent, sustained access to vulnerable communities in east

5 November 2015
Wrapping up a three-day visit to Ukraine, the United Nations humanitarian chief is calling for sustained and unimpeded access to the vulnerable communities caught in the middle of the crisis and who urgently need humanitarian aid.
UNICEF Special Coordinator for the Refugee and Migrant Crisis in Europe Marie-Pierre Poirier (right) with refugee children in a UNICEF-supported Child Friendly Space set up at the reception centre in Opatovac, Croatia, on 30 October 2015.
UNICEF/Tomislav Georgiev

UNICEF official experiences ‘humanity on the move,’ following refugees and migrants through Europe

4 November 2015
As the number of women and children on the move in Europe continues to increase, an official from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today shared her eyewitness experience travelling with refugees and migrants for eight days along a difficult route from Greece to Slovenia, passing through the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Croatia.
A group of refugees disembark from an inflatable boat after reaching the Greek island of Lesvos (30 September 2015).
UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis

Worsening weather off coast of Lesvos leads to tragedy for refugees and migrants trying to reach Greece

29 October 2015
At least 15 people have died and some 38 others are missing in five incidents involving smuggler boats carrying hundreds of refugees and migrants by sea between Turkey and the Greek islands, according to the United Nations refugee agency.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon giving remarks at the ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the entry of Spain into the United Nations, on 29 October 2015.
UN Spokesperson

Ban applauds ‘six decades of principled leadership’ of Spain at the UN

29 October 2015
The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today commended the leading role played by Spain, since it first joined the UN 60 years ago, by supporting the Organization in all its activities, including tackling terrorism, aiding women empowerment, peace, security and contributing towards reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and developing the new Agenda 2030.
A group of asylum-seekers waiting at a reception centre to be registered for a temporary transit visa, near the town of Gevgelija in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) after crossing the border from Idomeni in Greece, on 27 August 2015.
UNICEF/Gjorgji Klincarov

Top UN official on refugees welcomes EU agreement on plan for Western Balkans migration route

26 October 2015
As European leaders met this week to hammer out a 17-point plan of action on the Western Balkans migration route for refugees and migrants fleeing Syria and other strife-torn regions, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees commended the fact that a consensus had been reached.
A woman carrying a young child receives relief items for her family, at a Red Cross station set up outdoors at the reception centre for refugees and migrants, in the town of Šid, Serbia, on the border with Croatia.
UNICEF/ Shubuckl

UN refugee agency appeals for protection against sexual abuse of women and children on move in Europe

23 October 2015
The United Nations refugee agency today expressed concern over the reported abuse of refugee and migrant women and children on the move in Europe, including “instances of children engaging in survival sex to pay smugglers to continue their journey,” appealing to all concerned to take measures to ensure their protection.