Europe

Georgia: top UN officials depart former mission area

15 July 2009
The top military and police officials serving with the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) – which ceased its functions last month – have now left what was formerly their area of operation, a spokesperson for the world body announced today.
Asylum-seekers and refugees lived in this makeshift camp in Patras, Greece, before it was closed down in July 2009

UN agency voices concern after Greece closes camp housing asylum-seekers

14 July 2009
The United Nations refugee agency today voiced its concern about Greece’s decision to close down a makeshift camp in the city of Patras, and the fate of hundreds of asylum-seekers and refugees that are now homeless as a result of this weekend’s action.
UNHCR protection officer talks to newly arrived boat people on a beach in Lampedusa [File Photo]

UN investigating case of asylum-seekers sent back to Libya by Italy

14 July 2009
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is looking into the cases of dozens of asylum-seekers who were returned to Libya by Italian authorities after they were intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea.

Georgia: personnel from defunct UN mission to leave next week

10 July 2009
Military observers and police of what was the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) will leave Abkhazia at the end of next week, as the operation proceeds with its liquidation, the world body announced today.
From left to right: Special Representative Tayé-Brook Zerihoun, Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias

Security the focus of latest round of UN-backed talks between Cypriot leaders

9 July 2009
Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders held another round of United Nations-backed talks today, discussing security and guarantees as part of their efforts to try to reach a solution that will unify the Mediterranean island.

Secretary-General en route to Italy to meet with G8 leaders

8 July 2009
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is heading today to the Italian city of L’Aquila, where he will meet with the leaders who are attending the annual summit of the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations, after wrapping up his first official visit to Ireland.
Personal Envoy Matthew Nimetz

UN envoy in Greece to discuss former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia name issue

8 July 2009
The United Nations envoy tasked with mediating talks between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in the dispute over the latter’s name is in Athens for talks with Greek representatives.
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) building in The Hague

UN war crimes tribunal rejects Karadžić claim for immunity from prosecution

8 July 2009
The United Nations war crimes tribunal for the 1990s Balkan conflicts today rejected an application by the former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadžić that he should be granted immunity from prosecution because of an agreement he says he struck with the United States Government in 1996.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses the Institute of International and European Affairs at Dublin Castle, Ireland

UN to strengthen peacekeeping efforts amid rising demand, says Ban

7 July 2009
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today highlighted a new effort to strengthen United Nations peacekeeping at a time when the demand for the Organization’s services is at an all-time high and the global economic crisis threatens to further limit its ability to respond effectively.
Walter Kaelin, the Secretary-General’s Representative for the Human Rights of IDPs

Kosovars displaced by war face reintegration obstacles, says UN rights expert

7 July 2009
More than one decade after the Balkan wars concluded, Kosovars uprooted by fighting then continue to face serious challenges in returning home and local integration, a United Nations human rights expert said today.