Europe

Genocide case against Serbia and Montenegro to be heard by UN court

27 February 2006
Thirteen years after it was first filed, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s case against Serbia and Montenegro for violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention will at last be heard publicly by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations for disputes between States, starting today.

Praising Turkey, UN expert urges further rights protections in counterterrorism

24 February 2006
Saying that Turkey has shown “remarkable commitment” to reform over the past years, a United Nations rights expert today called on the country to further reduce tensions in its terror-racked southeast region, affirming that counterterrorism must be pursued with full respect for human rights.

UN human rights chief distressed by Chechnya’s law enforcement system

24 February 2006
After a second visit to the Russian Federation that included time in the troubled region of Chechnya, the United Nations top human rights official said today in Moscow that she had “very serious concerns” about Chechnya’s law enforcement system.
Lennart Båge (R) and Amb. Dudau sign agreement

UN agency provides $13 million loan to boost rural development in Moldova

22 February 2006
The specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to eradicating poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing countries, has given the Republic of Moldova a loan for $13 million to help fund a 5-year economic development plan.

Kosovo parties find common ground in first round of status talks, says UN envoy

22 February 2006
The first round of direct negotiations between delegations from Albanian-majority Kosovo and Serbia on the future status of the Serbian province found common ground on the issue of decentralization of services, according to the United Nations envoy who chaired the talks, which ended today.

EU common asylum policy should not downgrade standards – UN refugee chief

21 February 2006
While lauding Europe’s efforts to develop a common asylum policy, the United Nations refugee agency’s top official told European leaders today that a consistent approach to dealing with millions of refugees should not end up downgrading asylum standards.

Bosnian Serb fugitive taken into custody by UN war-crimes tribunal

21 February 2006
A Bosnian Serb paramilitary leader accused of burning to death scores of Bosnian Muslim men, women and children during that country’s 1992 violence was today taken into custody by the United Nations tribunal charged with bringing the perpetrators of such crimes to justice.

UN refugee agency calls for humane treatment for Uzbeks deported from Ukraine

17 February 2006
The United Nations refugee agency called for humane treatment for 11 Uzbek asylum-seekers whom they said were forcibly deported to their homeland this week by Ukraine and are probably in the hands of Uzbek authorities.
Annan with Tassos Papadopoulos (file photo)

Cyprus: Annan to confer with President Papadopoulos

16 February 2006
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and President Tassos Papadopoulos have agreed to meet to review the situation in Cyprus.
Jessen-Petersen

UN envoy tells Security Council that Kosovo operation now in ‘critical phase’

14 February 2006
Speaking to the Security Council today, the senior United Nations envoy to Kosovo said the next few months offered great opportunities for the province’s leaders and its people to work together to decide their future, saying also that the UN mission was now in its most critical phase.