Europe

25 million displaced persons still need protection and aid, UN rights commission told

7 April 2004
While the international community has taken strides to respond to the plight of people uprooted from their homes because of war and conflict, 25 million people in Africa, Asia and South America remain desperately in need of protection and assistance, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights was told today.

Kosovo: new criminal codes come into force in UN-administered province

6 April 2004
Less than three weeks after the worst unrest to hit Kosovo since the United Nations took over its administration nearly five years ago, the ethnically divided province today marked what its top administrator called a “crucial milestone” with the entry into force of two new criminal codes.
Special Adviser Alvaro de Soto

UN envoy returns to Cyprus ahead of referenda on settlement plan

6 April 2004
The United Nations adviser on Cyprus returned there today less than three weeks before a referendum on a blueprint by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to reunify the island nation before its entry into the European Union on 1 May.

Two UN experts urge stepped-up efforts to protect children's rights

6 April 2004
United Nations experts dealing with the exploitation of children and their subjection to violence today urged intensified international attention to widespread abuses committed against these young victims.
Kofi Annan with President Vladimir Putin

Iraq, Middle East top agenda in Annan's talks with Russian leaders

5 April 2004
Iraq and the Middle East, as well as regional issues such as Kosovo and the conflict in Georgia, topped the agenda as United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials today in Moscow.

Chiefs of UN bodies convene for Spring 2004 board meeting in Vienna

2 April 2004
Secretary-General Kofi Annan today opened the spring session of the Chief Executives Board (CEB), the twice-yearly meeting that brings together the heads of United Nations agencies, funds and programmes.
Harri Holkeri, UN envoy for Kosovo

UN envoy to Kosovo holds talks with leader of Serbia and Montenegro

2 April 2004
The United Nations' top envoy to Kosovo met today with the Prime Minister of Serbia and Montenegro, Vojislav Kostunica, in Belgrade to discuss last month's wave of deadly ethnic violence in the troubled province.
Amb. Pleuger briefs the press

Security Council to tackle draft resolution on spread of WMDs, President says

2 April 2004
The Security Council is poised this month to discuss a draft resolution dealing with the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) to non-State actors, the Ambassador of Germany, which holds the presidency of the 15-member body for April, said today.
Special Adviser Alvaro de Soto

Future of Cyprus now in hands of its people, Security Council members say

2 April 2004
After hearing a briefing on United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's plan to reunite Cyprus before its entry into the European Union on 1 May, Security Council members said today that the future of the island nation is now up to its people.

Arbitrary use of force spreads, summary executions continue - UN rights experts

1 April 2004
United Nations human rights experts addressing the Geneva-based UN Commission on Human Rights are warning of a global upsurge in illegal killings as well as the emerging threat of torture being used against persons with HIV/AIDS.