Europe

Special Rapporteur Christof Heyns.
Jean-Marc Ferré

UN independent expert calls on Turkey to do more to fight impunity on extrajudicial executions

30 November 2012
While Turkey has made significant progress in protecting the right to life, it should step up efforts to prosecute those who commit unlawful killings, a United Nations independent expert said today following a visit to the country.
Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

UN peacekeeping chief welcomes growing links with European Union in crisis management

30 November 2012
The United Nations peacekeeping chief today highlighted the growing level of cooperation between the UN and the European Union in tackling problems springing from many of the world’s hotspots.
Special Representative Farid Zarif.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

UN envoy welcomes progress made by Kosovo and Serbia to normalize relations

27 November 2012
A senior United Nations official today welcomed the recent steps taken by Kosovo and Serbia to normalize relations, and called on the international community to fully support the dialogue between the two to reach long-term agreements.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses the inauguration ceremony for the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue in Vienna.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

At intercultural centre, Ban highlights need for religious and political leaders to use their influence responsibly

26 November 2012
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today highlighted the need for religious and political leaders to use their influence responsibly, while pointing out how recent events in places such as the Middle East and Mali drive home the need to “promote long-term mutual understanding.”
Margaret Sekaggya, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.
UN Photo

Ireland must do more to raise awareness of human rights defenders – UN expert

23 November 2012
An independent United Nations expert today stressed that although the environment in Ireland is favourable for human rights defenders, the country could do more to raise awareness among its citizens of their role in society.
UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women Rashida Manjoo.
UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz

Croatia: UN expert welcomes efforts to deal with violence against women, urges more

19 November 2012
A United Nations independent expert today welcomed the Croatian Government’s efforts to uphold and protect the human rights of women by signing and ratifying relevant international human rights conventions, and through numerous other initiatives at the national level.
Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markač.
ICTY

UN war crimes tribunal overturns convictions of two former Croatian generals

16 November 2012
A United Nations war crimes tribunal today overturned the convictions of two former Croatian generals who were found guilty last year of various crimes against humanity during the Balkan conflicts of the 1990s, and ordered that they be released immediately.
Security Council in session.
UN Photo/Ryan Brown

Security Council extends mandate of European peacekeepers in Bosnia for another year

14 November 2012
The Security Council today extended for another year the mandate of the European peacekeepers tasked with ensuring the continued compliance by all sides with the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement that ended fighting in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina Valentin Inzko.
UN Photo/JC McIlwaine

Bosnia and Herzegovina seeing rise in divisive behaviour, Security Council told

13 November 2012
Political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina are failing to produce what they should be 17 years after the signing of the peace agreement that ended fighting in the country and secessionist rhetoric is on the rise, the Security Council heard today.
Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal (left) addresses event to mark the anniversary of Kristallnacht. At right is Amb. Martin Briens of France.
UN Photo/Mark Garten

Marking anniversary of Kristallnacht Pogrom, UN holds discussions with renowned historians

9 November 2012
The 74th anniversary of the Kristallnacht – the violent attack in Germany and Austria against Jews and their homes, synagogues and businesses in 1938 – was observed at United Nations Headquarters this week with two discussions involving renowned experts on some of the issues related to the pogrom.