Europe

Rupert Colville, spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
UN Photo

In wake of unrest, UN welcomes dialogue between Ukrainian President and opposition

31 January 2014
The United Nations human rights office today welcomed the start of dialogue between President Viktor Yanukovych and the opposition in Ukraine following weeks of violent unrest, as well as the abolition this week of laws restricting the exercise of fundamental rights.
Photo: UNEP
UNEP

Ahead of the Sochi games, Ban calls for observance of Olympic Truce

31 January 2014
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for the observance of the Olympic Truce, calling on everyone engaged in armed hostilities to lay down their weapons and cease hostilities.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) holds joint press conference with Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany in Berlin.
UN Photo/Mark Garten

Launching scientific advisory board, Ban urges bridging gap between science, policy

30 January 2014
The United Nations must use science and technology to strengthen its policy-making on sustainable development, reducing inequality and eradicating extreme poverty, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said launching his advisory board of scientists.
Wide view of the Security Council.
UN Photo/JC McIlwaine (file photo)

Security Council approves 6-month extension for UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus

30 January 2014
The Security Council today extended the long-running United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until 31 July 2014, noting that progress made so far had not yet resulted in a comprehensive and durable settlement between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

General Assembly President appeals for ‘Olympic Truce’ ahead of Sochi Games

29 January 2014
With a little over a week to go before the Winter Olympics open in Sochi, Russia, General Assembly President John Ashe today urged United Nations Member States to observe the historic tradition of ceasing hostilities ahead of the Games.
Academy award winning filmmaker Steven Spielberg (centre), stands with Holocaust survivors Fira Stukelman (left) and Rena Finder,at the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust.
UN Photo/Evan Schneider

On Holocaust Memorial Day, UN calls for unflagging vigilance to prevent new genocide

27 January 2014
The United Nations today paid tribute to the 6 million Jews and countless others massacred in the Nazi Holocaust with a solemn ceremony in the General Assembly Hall, a rebuke to Holocaust deniers, and a warning from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of the perils of anti-Semitism and hatred of any kind.
High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

Senior UN officials urge restraint, dialogue to defuse tensions fuelling protests in Ukraine

21 January 2014
Urging restraint amid widespread anti-Government protests in Ukraine, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay called today for sustained and inclusive dialogue to defuse tensions in the country.
Credit: OHCHR
OHCHR

Span must halt extradition of Kazakh terrorism-related suspect, UN rights experts

10 January 2014
United Nations independent human rights experts today urged the Spanish Government to reconsider its decision to extradite Alexsandr Pavlov, who oversaw security for a Kazakh businessman and prominent opposition leader, on grounds that he may be tortured or receive an unfair trial if extradited.