Cyprus at a Glance_EN

Much of the rich cultural heritage in the occupied areas has been destroyed and vandalised and places of worship have been desecrated. This crime has been perpetrated largely by the Turkish army and Turkish nationals and still goes on with the collusion of the occupying power. UN General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, resolutions adopted by numerous other international organisations, as well as decisions by international courts, reflect the universal condemnation of Turkey’s invasion and all subsequent acts of aggression against Cyprus; demand the return of the refugees to their homes in safety and the tracing of the missing persons, and call for respect for the human rights of all Cypriots as well as for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus. Moreover, the European Court of Human Rights has found the government of Turkey responsible for gross and systematic violations of human rights in Cyprus. Successive rounds of UN-sponsored talks between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities since 1974 to resolve the Cyprus problem and reunite the country have been undermined by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership, which have sought a settlement that would leave Cyprus permanently divided. On the other hand, the government of Cyprus and the Greek Cypriots consistently support the genuine reunification and reintegration of the country. On 24 April 2004, a proposal by the UN Secretary- General (Annan Plan V), for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, was put before the people of Cyprus for a vote in separate, but simultaneous referenda by the two communities. A clear majority of 75,8 % Greek Cypriots rejected the Plan because they felt that it was not balanced and did not meet their main concerns regarding security, functionality and viability of the solution. By their vote, Greek Cypriots rejected that particular and seriously flawed Plan, which was put before them, because it did not lead to the genuine reunification of the island and the reintegration of its people, institutions and economy. In contrast, 64,9 % of the Turkish Cypriot community (including votes from illegal colonists from Turkey) voted in favour of the Plan. The overwhelming defeat rendered the Annan Plan null and void, according to its own stipulation. Nevertheless, the government of Cyprus has remained committed to the Secretary-General’s mission of good offices and to a sustained process that would facilitate a comprehensive settlement. It has therefore tried to revive the peace process to find a mutually acceptable solution that addresses the legitimate concerns of all the people of Cyprus. 20