Europe

Amb. Raimonda Murmokaité of Lithuania.
UN Photo/Evan Schneider

Security Council holds 'urgent' meeting on situation in Ukraine

28 February 2014
The United Nations Security Council held this afternoon what its President described as an “urgent” meeting on the situation in Ukraine, with the body's members noting that it is important for all political actors in the strife-torn country to exercise maximum restraint and pursue inclusive dialogue.
The remains of burnt vehicles following the recent demonstrations in Kiev, Ukraine. (February 2014).
UN

In Ukraine, UN envoy discusses efforts to restore stability amid current crisis

25 February 2014
A United Nations envoy dispatched by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon held talks with senior Ukrainian officials in the capital, Kiev, and pledged the world body’s commitment to assist the country as it seeks to emerge from the current crisis.
UNFICYP peacekeepers patrolling in Sector 1 in Cyprus.
UNFICYP

UN hosts meeting with Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot negotiators

24 February 2014
“Substantive discussions” started today in the resumed talks aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, a United Nations spokesperson confirmed, following a meeting today between Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart, Kudret Özersay.
A makeshift memorial to those killed and injured during recent demonstrations in Kiev, Ukraine. (February 2014).
UN

Ban calls on Ukrainians to find peaceful way forward amid current turmoil

24 February 2014
Amid the rapidly unfolding events in Ukraine, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today called for an inclusive political process to enable the country to emerge from its current crisis, one which reflects the aspirations of its people and preserves its unity and territorial integrity.
President of the Swiss Confederation and Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
UN Photo/JC McIlwaine

Head of European security bloc outlines areas for greater collaboration with UN

24 February 2014
Security in Europe cannot be taken for granted, as illustrated by the political crisis and recent escalation of violence in Ukraine, the head of the world’s largest regional security grouping said today, as he outlined areas for closer cooperation between the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
UN Photo/M. Garten (file photo)

Ban speaks to Ukrainian leader, UN rights experts horrified by violence in Kiev

21 February 2014
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke today with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, urging him to implement a just-proposed deal with opposition leaders aimed at ending a standoff between security forces and protestors in Kiev and other parts of the country that has left scores of people killed or injured.
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova.
UN Photo/Amanda Voisard

UNESCO chief calls for safety of media workers amid violent unrest in Ukraine

20 February 2014
The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom today denounced the killing of Ukrainian journalist Vyacheslav Veremyi and called for ensuring the safety of all media workers in the crisis-hit nation.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay.
UN Photo/E. Debebe/E. Schneider (file photo)

Ukraine: senior UN official decry use of excessive force as protests intensify

20 February 2014
As the casualties mount in and around crisis-riven Kiev, so have the calls for restraint from senior United Nations officials, who today once again urged the authorities in Ukraine to exercise restraint amidst a fiery stand-off with anti-Government protestors.
Source: OCHA/ReliefWeb

Ukraine: top UN officials urge peaceful resolution of crisis after deadly clashes in Kiev

19 February 2014
Concerned by the escalating violence in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, top United Nations officials have urged all sides to exercise restraint and find a peaceful solution to the ongoing crisis.
UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz
UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz

Turkey’s new law on Internet curbs draws concern from UN rights office

14 February 2014
The United Nations human rights office has expressed concerns about a bill allowing Turkey’s telecommunications authority (Turkish Telecommunications Directorate) the power to block websites without having to seek a court order and to penalize Internet providers if they fail to cooperate.