Europe

Ukraine: UN concerned at reported government probes of AIDS groups

31 January 2011
The United Nations today voiced concern at reported Ukrainian Government-led investigations of HIV/AIDS programmes run by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) while at the same time praising a new law promoting a human rights-based approach to the disease.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre) briefs press after meeting with Cypriot leaders Dervis Eroglu (right) and Dimitris Christofias (left) in Geneva

Cyprus: leaders agree to intensify reunification talks after meeting with Ban

26 January 2011
Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders agreed to intensify talks to reunify their island today after meeting in Geneva with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who has warned that substantive agreement in the next few months is crucial to avoid potential failure.
Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights Magdalena Sepúlveda.
UN Photo/M. Garten

Ireland’s vulnerable groups most threatened by financial crisis, warns UN expert

21 January 2011
Ireland’s economic and financial crisis poses a disproportionate threat to vulnerable groups in the European country who did not benefit much even when the economy was booming, the United Nations independent expert on human rights and extreme poverty said today.
De-miner in action in Nicosia

UN mine action programme clears 27,000 landmines in Cyprus

20 January 2011
United Nations de-miners have removed over 27,000 landmines from the buffer zone in Cyprus over the past six years, the UN envoy to the country said today, while announcing that the mine action programme will come to an end next month due to lack of access to remaining minefields.
ICC President Sang-Hyun Song (right) and Justice Minister Snežana Malovic of Serbia sign agreement

Serbia joins list of countries agreeing to enforce ICC jail terms

20 January 2011
The International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Government of Serbia signed an agreement today by which people convicted by the court can serve their sentences in the Eastern European nation.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre) meets with Dimitris Christofias (left) and Dervis Eroglu (file photo)

UN-backed Cyprus reunification talks gain momentum ahead of meeting with Ban

12 January 2011
Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders discussed governance and power-sharing today as they prepare to meet with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon later this month in United Nations-sponsored talks aimed at reunifying the Mediterranean island.
High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay

Ban calls on Belarus to release detained journalists and opposition leaders

10 January 2011
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for the release of journalists, opposition candidates and their supporters who continue to be detained in Belarus following recent presidential elections.
A couple of boys walking through the floodwaters in the Vruja settlement in Montenegro

Balkan flood victims will continue to need aid through winter, UN says

7 January 2011
Tens of thousands of people affected by the worst floods to hit Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighbouring Montenegro in decades will continue to need help during the winter months, warned the United Nations refugee agency, which has already provided assistance to several thousand people in the two Balkan nations.