23 May, 2007
Destruction of Cyprus Cultural Heritage by Turkey
As a result of the Turkish invasion of 1974 the rich cultural heritage of the occupied part of the island has suffered considerable damage and is in danger of complete destruction. Hundreds of churches and monasteries have been desecrated, turned into mosques, hotels and recreational sites or otherwise reduced to stables, hay stores and places of public convenience. The Turkish army has also used them as arsenal and ammunition depots, hospitals, dormitories and playgrounds.
23 May, 2007
Cyprus Missing Persons Update
Disappearance constitutes a multiple violation of basic and fundamental principles and norms of Human Rights. These violations are not confined to the rights of the missing persons but also extend to the rights of their families. Those who commit this crime are not only guilty for their disappearance, but also guilty for the perpetuation of the suffering of the families by not disclosing information about the fate of their relatives.
Greek Cypriot and Greek missing persons of the Turkish invasion
In human terms, the worst consequence of the Turkish invasion in Cyprus in the summer of 1974 is the tragic humanitarian problem of the missing persons and their families. During and after the Turkish invasion, thousands of Greek Cypriots were arrested and detained in concentration camps in Cyprus by the Turkish army and by Turkish Cypriot paramilitary organizations acting under the control of the Turkish army. Furthermore, over 2000 prisoners of war were illegally taken to Turkey and detained in Turkish prisons. Some of them were not released and are still missing. Hundreds of other Greek Cypriots, both soldiers and civilians (including old people, women and children) disappeared in the areas under Turkish occupation and are still missing. There are hundreds of testimonies from eyewitnesses documenting the arrest of missing persons by the Turkish army or by Turkish Cypriots acting under its control. (More)
23 May, 2007
Cyprus Problem in the European Union
by Stelios Georgiades (September 2006)
In 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus. Turkey´s illegal invasion and occupation of 37% of the country's territory, was accompanied by atrocities on Cypriot civilians including mass murder, torture, rape, abductions and the ethnic cleansing of over 200,000 Greek Cypriots. Ever since, Turkey continued to be condemned by the United Nations, by the European Community/Union and, equally important, by repeated decisions of the European Court of Human Rights.
(More)17 Feb, 2007
The Cyprus Problem
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean and is situated at the meeting point of three continents, Europe, Asia and Africa, therefore adding strategic implications to the island’s importance and its development. In 1959, after a long but successful anti-colonial struggle, the people of Cyprus gained their independence. But, at the same time, in view of London´s tactic of “divide and rule”, Turkey had been encouraged to intervene in Cypriot affairs in clear violation of the Lausanne Treaty. At the conclusion of a conference in Zurich on 11 February 1959, and under severe international pressure, agreement was reached between Greece and Turkey on a settlement. On 19 February, following a conference in London, attended by the representatives of Greece, Turkey, Britain and the two Cypriot communities, an agreement was signed for the final settlement of the Cyprus dispute. On the basis of the Zurich and London Agreements, universally acknowledged as being imposed on the Cypriots, a Constitution was drafted and Cyprus was proclaimed an independent state on 16 August 1960. This Constitution, however, was immediately recognized as unworkable. Following President Makarios´ proposals to revise it, inter-communal strife erupted. This strife has been variously exploited by Turkey ever since.
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