Europe

Credit: OHCHR
OHCHR

Hungary must revoke amendment threatening judicial independence – UN rights chief

18 June 2013
The top United Nations human rights official today urged the Hungarian Government to revoke a constitutional amendment that threatens the judiciary’s independence and endangers the country’s system of checks and balances.
The situation of Roma such as these children in Serbia featured prominently during High Commissioner Navi Pillay's visit to Belgrade.
OSCE/Milan Obradovic

Praising advances in Serbia, UN official urges political will to solidify human rights gains

18 June 2013
Visiting Serbia at “an important and transformative moment” in its history, the United Nations human rights chief today urged a steadfast focus on fundamental rights as she hailed a succession of political advances that augur well for the country itself and for the future of the wider region.
Tens of thousands of people are living in precarious conditions after fleeing the crisis in the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia.
UNHCR/Y. Mechitov

Georgia must seize opportunity to improve conditions of displaced persons – UN expert

17 June 2013
A United Nations independent expert today praised Georgia for its commitment to improve the living conditions for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and stressed that the country must continue making advancements to ensure they can live in safety and dignity.
Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Frank La Rue.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

UN expert urges Montenegro to resolve pending cases of violence against journalists

17 June 2013
Calling for effective accountability in all cases of violence against journalists, the United Nations independent expert on the right to freedom of expression today urged Montenegro to set up an inclusive mechanism to resolve and prevent cases of attacks against reporters and media outlets.
Special Representative Farid Zarif.
UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

International support key for positive relations between Serbia and Kosovo – UN envoy

14 June 2013
Strong support from the international community is needed to ensure ‘positive momentum’ is sustained between Serbia and Kosovo, a United Nations envoy told the Security Council today.
Special Rapporteur on Belarus Miklós Haraszti.
OSCE/Susanna Lööf

UN expert urges Belarus to cooperate on improving human rights situation

14 June 2013
An independent United Nations expert today urged the Government of Belarus to grant his request for an official visit the country and to engage with his mandate to improve its human rights situation.
A homeless family from Chechnya at a reception centre in Linin, Poland.
UNHCR

Homelessness serious threat to refugees in Poland, Bulgaria and Slovakia – UN report

7 June 2013
Homelessness and the threat of homelessness are two of the most serious conditions affecting refugees and asylum-seekers living in Poland, Bulgaria and Slovakia, according to a report released today by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Credit: OHCHR
OHCHR

Civil society organizations must not face reprisals from Russia – UN experts

6 June 2013
United Nations independent experts today voiced grave concern over reports that two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been charged by the Russian Government for providing evidence to the UN Committee against Torture.
Cécile Pouilly, spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
OHCHR

UN rights office calls on Turkish government to ensure freedom of assembly

4 June 2013
The United Nations human rights office urged the Government of Turkey to guarantee that its citizens have the right to assemble freely and in a peaceful manner, following days of violent clashes between protestors and police.
Jellyfish.
FAO

Reality stings: UN reports jellyfish ‘blooms’ may endanger fish stocks

30 May 2013
Surges in jellyfish populations due to overfishing may be one of the reasons behind the drop in fish stocks observed in the Mediterranean and Black Sea, according to a new United Nations report which argues for including jellyfish in fisheries management.