Civil Rights Abuses in Cyprus

Floor Speech

* Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of the lives lost to date on Cyprus, and in recognition of the continuing conflict and civil rights abuses taking place on the island.

* On July 20, 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus in response to a Greek led coup, bringing to life a conflict that had long remained dormant. On that day, Turkish armed forces took control of the Northern portion of the island, and continue to occupy nearly 37 percent of Cyprus' territory today.

* The continuing occupation has resulted in segregation and division of Greek and Turkish Cypriots, preventing the diverse and peaceful communities that once existed from returning, and inhibiting any communication or peaceful solution to the current crisis.

* To date, more than 160,000 Turkish mainland settlers have emigrated to Cyrpus, creating an imbalance in the population. In addition to that figure, the continued presence of 43,000 Turkish troops in Cyprus has contributed to tension between either ethnicity.

* During the course of this conflict, more than 200,000 Greek Cypriots have been forced from their homes; 520 Greek Orthodox churches have been vandalized; 15,000 ecclesiastical items have been lost or stolen; nearly 60,000 Cypriot artifacts have been illegally transferred to other nations; and the property of displaced Greek-Cypriots, including homes and business, has been commandeered by mainland Turkish immigrants. These human rights violations, historical defacements, and cultural destruction of the Cypriot legacy must be stopped.

* Mr. Speaker, this House and the United Nations have consistently passed resolutions calling for protection of the Cypriot people, restoration of property rights, and the return of stolen historic and religious artifacts. It is critical that a peaceful solution to this standoff is reached, so that all Cypriot people can return to their homes, and rebuild the vibrant, diverse and accepting communities that once existed there.

* I urge all parties involved to join in negotiating a settlement that will prevent further devastation and restore peace and security to the island of Cyprus.

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