Europe

The situation in eastern Ukraine remains volatile and continues to have a severe impact on human rights. Photo/ UNHCR

Civilian casualties up 66 per cent in eastern Ukraine during summer – UN report

15 September 2016
A new United Nations report released today shows a 66 per cent increase in the number of conflict-related civilian casualties in eastern Ukraine and describes the deterioration of the human rights situation there, as a result of escalating hostilities between the Government and non-Government forces from June to August.
In Athens, Greece, a woman carries a box while refugees and migrants queue up near containers where refugees shelter in the Skaramagas refugee camp.
UNICEF/Gripiotis

Almost 300,000 migrants and refugees reached Europe over past 8 months – UN partner agency

13 September 2016
Close to 300,000 migrants and refugees have reached Europe between the start of this year and mid-September, with most of them entering through Greece and Italy, according to an update from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) today.
A woman who is seeking asylum walks through the Cara reception center in Mineo, Sicily, on May 18, 2016. The camp, formerly a U.S. military barracks, holds approximately 3,000 people.
UNICEF/Gilbertson

More has to be done to deliver on European commitments for asylum seekers – UN refugee agency

13 September 2016
Highlighting that the number of pledges to relocate asylum-seekers continues to be woefully low and its implementation slow and challenging, the United Nations refugee agency today called on European countries to do more to deliver significantly on the commitments they have made.
The situation in eastern Ukraine remains volatile and continues to have a severe impact on human rights. Photo/ UNHCR

UN expert calls on Ukraine to step up its efforts to protect the rights of the internally displaced

9 September 2016
At the conclusion of an official visit to Ukraine, a United Nations human rights expert has called on the Government to step up its response to prevent and address internal displacement and to provide durable solutions to the persons already displaced.
Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
UN Photo/Pierre Albouy

In hard-hitting speech, UN human rights chief warns against populists and demagogues

6 September 2016
In a hard-hitting speech, the United Nations human rights chief has strongly warned against the impact that populists and demagogues are having on society, and called for more effort to safeguard human rights law.
Efi Latsoudi, human rights activist behind PIKPA camp, and Hellenic Rescue Team leader Konstantinos Mitragas, in front of a vast pile of lifejackets in northern Lesvos, a haunting reminder of the dangers faced by refugees who arrived on Greek shores in 2015.
UNHCR/Gordon Welters

Greek volunteers awarded top UN humanitarian honour for efforts with migrants and refugees

6 September 2016
A Greek human rights activist and a Greek volunteer rescue team – Efi Latsoudi and the Hellenic Rescue Team (HRT) – have been jointly awarded this year’s Nansen Refugee Award for their efforts to aid refugees arriving in Greece during 2015.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) meets with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey (May 2016).
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

In meeting with Turkey's President, UN chief stresses country's key role in fighting ISIL

3 September 2016
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today met with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, emphasizing the key role of Turkey in the fight against Da'esh (ISIL), Mr. Ban's office said.
Refugees, primarily from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan are helped by volunteers as they disembark boats near Scala, on the island of Lesvos, Greece.
Ashley Gilbertson / VII Photo for UNICEF

UN refugee agency: 2016 is deadliest year for refugees crossing to Europe via Central Mediterranean

2 September 2016
The United Nations refugee agency today flagged that while the number of deaths of refugees seeking safety via the Turkey-Greece route into Europe has fallen dramatically, the use of the North Africa-Italy route has remained constant – with the latter experiencing an increase in the number of deaths, making 2016 the deadliest year so far for refugees in the Central Mediterranean.
Photo: UNWTO
UNWTO

UN human rights office welcomes France’s court ruling to suspend seaside ban on burkini

30 August 2016
The United Nations human rights office today welcomed last Friday’s decision by France’s highest administrative court to suspend the ban on “inappropriate” beachwear, which was adopted by a seaside town and had been widely interpreted as targeting the burkini and other forms of dress worn by Muslim women.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi (centre) talks with a Syrian family at the Lagkadikia site in Northern Greece.
UNHCR/Achilleas Zavallis

Greece facing ‘serious challenges,’ needs EU help to manage refugee crisis – UN agency chief

26 August 2016
Greece still faces great challenges in managing its refugee crisis, particularly if European Union countries do not step up their relocation and family reunion programmes, the head of the United Nations refugee agency said during a recent visit to the country.