Europe

UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).
ICTY

UN tribunal acquits Vojislav Šešelj of war crimes in the Balkans

31 March 2016
The United Nations tribunal for the former Yugoslavia today acquitted Vojislav Šešelj of war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with actions committed by the Serbian forces between August 1991 and September 1993.
Radovan Karadžic at his initial appearance in court, July 2008.
ICTY

UN welcomes 'historic' guilty verdict against Radovan Karadžić

24 March 2016
Calling today “historic” for the people of former Yugoslavia and for international criminal justice, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today expressed support for the victims who suffered under former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadžić, following his guilty verdict by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).
In March 2016, despite border restrictions in the Balkans, the influx of refugees and migrants to Idomeni, Greece, has continued.
UNICEF/UN012804/Georgiev

UN rights chief concerned over 'collective expulsion' of migrants after EU-Turkey deal

24 March 2016
The top United Nations human rights official today expressed serious concern over the recent accord between the European Union (EU) and Turkey to stem the large-scale flow of refugees and migrants into Greece and Europe, stressing that individual cases must be assessed adequately to avoid a “collective expulsion.”
In March 2016, despite border restrictions in the Balkans, the influx of refugees and migrants to Idomeni, Greece, has continued.
UNICEF/UN012804/Georgiev

UN refugee agency redefines role in Greece as EU-Turkey deal comes into effect

22 March 2016
The United Nations refugee agency has announced that it is “not a party” to the new provisions agreed between the European Union (EU) and Turkey to stem the large-scale flow of refugees and migrants into Greece and Europe, and that it will align its work to cope with the deal.
European Union headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
Carmen Cuesta Roca

UN strongly condemns terrorist bombings in Brussels as 'an attack on us all'

22 March 2016
Senior United Nations officials have strongly condemned today's terrorist bombings in Brussels, extending condolences to the victims and their families while expressing solidarity with the people and Government of Belgium.
Men from the village of Nikishine in Donetsk, Ukraine are covering the roof with UNHCR plastic sheet delivered by Czech NGO People in Need.
Iva Zimova, People in Need

Ukraine: UN experts urge accountability for human rights violations by foreign fighters

22 March 2016
Today in Geneva, the United Nations Working Group on mercenaries called on the Government of Ukraine to ensure accountability for human rights violations committed by foreign armed actors during the conflict that has plagued the country since 2014.
Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief Heiner Bielefeldt.
UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras

Inclusive approach needed to embrace religious diversity in Denmark – UN expert

22 March 2016
While appraising Denmark as a liberal country that values and respects freedom and religion, an independent United Nations human rights expert today also addressed challenges Danish society faces, especially towards “an open, inclusive” identity and religious diversity.
A busy street in Istanbul, Turkey.
World Bank/Simone D. McCourtie

UN chief condemns deadly Istanbul attack as 'appalling violence'

19 March 2016
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned today's bombing in the Turkish city of Istanbul and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice, consistent with human rights obligations.
Greek volunteer life-guards help a young child out of a boat that reached the shores of Lesbos, having crossed the Aegean sea from Turkey.
UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis

'Refugees need protection, not rejection,' UN says in wake of EU-Turkey deal

18 March 2016
The United Nations refugee agency has stressed the importance of ensuring safeguards in carrying out today's agreement between the European Union (EU) and Turkey on the situation of refugees and migrants making their way to Europe.
In February 2015, volunteers unload a supply of bottled water, provided by UNICEF, from a vehicle in the city of Debaltsevo in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine.
UNICEF/Aleksey Filippov

Ukraine: UN calls on all parties to ensure access to safe drinking water in eastern region

17 March 2016
Concerned about the continuing impact of the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine on civilians, the United Nations today called on all parties to ensure access to safe water in Donetsk, after security concerns forced the evacuation of staff from a water treatment facility that serves thousands of people in the area.