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A New Publication by the Press and Information Office - “Human Rights Violations in Cyprus by Turkey” 27/06/2008

The Press and Information Office (PIO) of the Republic of Cyprus has recently issued the new publication in English: “Human Rights Violations in Cyprus by Turkey” . This 48-page booklet examines the documented, massive and continuing violations of internationally protected human rights committed by Turkey in Cyprus. These violations are the direct outcome of Turkey’s unlawful 1974 invasion of the Republic of Cyprus, of the continuing occupation of nearly 37% of its sovereign territory and the systematic ethnic cleansing that occurred in the area of Cyprus under Turkish occupation. The text is based on a forthcoming larger study on the subject by Dr. Van Coufoudakis, a distinguished political scientist and prominent scholar of the Cyprus problem. That book will be published by the end of 2008 in the United States of America. The information comes from reports, investigations and decisions by NGO’s, the European Commission of Human Rights, the European Court of Human Rights, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and the European Parliament among other sources. These independent sources fully document Turkey’s violations of contemporary international and European human rights laws and treaties that Turkey itself has signed and ratified. The information presented leaves no doubt about Turkey’s systematic and deliberate policy of eradicating the Greek and Christian cultural heritage and presence in the Turkish occupied areas. These discriminatory policies have been directed since 1974 at Greek, Maronite and Armenian Cypriots because of their ethnicity, religion and language. Such discrimination is explicitly prohibited under both the European Convention of Human Rights and by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. As the author points out: “This is a stigma on the international community at a time when, with support from the Republic of Cyprus, Turkey is engaged in accession talks with the EU. Turkey continues to violate its international obligations capitalizing on regional instability and the support extended to Turkey by influential external powers. The subordination of human rights to economic, political and security considerations undermines not only the European human rights regime, but also the European commitment to the rule of law, democracy and human rights. Cyprus, since 1974, was and remains the testing ground of these principles.” In short, the author argues that the restoration of human rights in occupied Cyprus will provide the foundation of a just and viable settlement to the Cyprus problem. The booklet will be published in several languages. This publication can be downloaded in PDF format from the PIO website at: www.moi.gov.cy/pio. The public may also obtain free copies by visiting the PIO at Apellis Street, in Nicosia. Inquiries can be made by calling (+357) 22801207 or by emailing registry@pio.moi.gov.cy. It will also be available from the diplomatic missions of Cyprus abroad.

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