Cyprus stil occupied still divided 1974-2015

PHOTO: Stavros Ioannides, Press and Information Office The consequences of Turkey’s military invasion of Cyprus in 1974 constitute, to this day, an open wound in the contemporary history of the island: The military occupation, the forcible division, the violation of hu- man rights, the massive colonization, the destruction of cultural and religious heritage and the property usurpation imposed since Turkey’s military invasion remain, to this day, some of the main characteristics of the status quo on the island. Today, Turkey, a candidate country for EU accession, remains accountable to the international community for its military invasion and occupation of a member state of the European Union and the United Nations. The occupation of part of the island and the gross vi- olation of human rights constitute an unacceptable state of affairs, an affront to the international legal order and an ongoing threat to regional stability that must be redressed the soonest possible. In July 1974, Turkey invaded the Republic of Cyprus, in violation of the UN Charter and the fundamental principles of international law. Beyond the immense human suffering and the great material losses, the dire consequences of the invasion and subsequent military occupation by Turkey are still felt today, given that: • 36.2% of the sovereign territory of Cyprus remains under illegal Turkish military occupation, with the presence of thousands of heavily armed Turkish troops rendering the occupied area of Cyprus, proportionally, one of the most militarized regions in the world. • 200,000 Greek Cypriots, over a third of the total population, who were forcibly expelled from the occupied northern part of the Republic of Cyprus, where they constituted about 70% of the popu- lation, are still deprived of the right to return to their homes and properties. CYPRUS STILL OCCUPIED, STILL DIVIDED 1974-2015