Europe

Credit: OHCHR
OHCHR

UN expert seeks open dialogue with Government and civil society in Belarus

1 November 2012
A United Nations independent expert today called on the Government and civil society of Belarus to engage in an open dialogue with him to promote and protect human rights in the country.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

UN chief voices disappointment at lack of Syria ceasefire

29 October 2012
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced deep disappointment on Monday that the call for a ceasefire in Syria has not been respected, stressing that more bloodshed will not resolve the crisis.
UN Economic Commission for Europe improves industrial safety in the Balkans.

In Balkans, UN-led initiative aims to improve industrial safety inspections

22 October 2012
A three-day training session aimed at improving industrial safety across the Balkans has kicked off in the Croatian city of Split, the UN announced today, adding that the initiative is part of the world body’s continuing efforts to protect people and the environment against industrial accidents.
A view of one of many bridges over the Danube River connecting the two sides, Buda and Pest, of Hungarian capital, Budapest.
UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras

‘Considerable efforts’ required to make most of Europe’s inland waterways – UN report

12 October 2012
With only seven per cent of goods transported on inland waterways in the European Union (EU), “considerable efforts” are still required by the region’s governments and the transport industry to increase this number and relieve congested road and rail networks, according to a UN report.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Secretary-General lauds awarding of Nobel Peace Prize to European Union

12 October 2012
Noting its collaboration with the United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today congratulated the European Union (EU) for being awarded the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize, stressing its role in helping to build peace, promote human rights and support economic and social development across the world.
Calin Georgescu, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and toxic waste.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

UN expert welcomes Hungary’s commitment to address impact of industrial pollution

11 October 2012
A United Nations independent expert today welcomed Hungary’s commitment to address the environmental impact of the industrial accident that occurred at the Ajka aluminium plant in 2010, and called for greater efforts to make polluting companies more accountable.
A boat carrying asylum seekers and migrants in the Mediterranean Sea.
UNHCR/L.Boldrini

Six people confirmed dead, more missing after small boat capsizes off Mayotte – UN

9 October 2012
Six people died and 10 are still missing after a small vessel carrying 24 people capsized on Monday morning off the French territory of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, the United Nations refugee agency reported today.
François Crépeau, Special Rapporteur on human rights of migrants.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

Italy must put human rights at centre of border management policy – UN independent expert

8 October 2012
Italy must prioritize a human rights approach when dealing with migration, a United Nations independent expert said today, urging the Government to not let security concerns overshadow its border management policy.
The rainbow flag waves in the wind at San Francisco's Castro District.
Benson Kua

Ukraine draft law banning homosexual references violates freedom of expression – UN

5 October 2012
A new draft law criminalizing any reference to homosexuality in the media or public domain violates Ukraine’s commitment to freedom of expression and information, the United Nations said today, urging the country’s authorities to strengthen anti-discrimination laws for all citizens.
IAEA Deputy Director General Alexander Bychkov.
IAEA/Dean Calma

UN atomic agency praises Belarus’ progress on nuclear power programme

5 October 2012
Belarus has made important progress in its development of nuclear infrastructure, the United Nations atomic agency said in a report released today, adding that should progress continue the country will be able to support the construction of a nuclear power plant in the near future.