SR140

A Senate Resolution condemning the illegal invasion and occupation of Cyprus since 1974.

Whereas, In 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus, and this year marks 51 years of continued, illegal occupation; and

Whereas, Turkey’s invasion marked the first time since World War II that a European country was militarily invaded in violation of the United Nations Charter and of international law; and

Whereas, As a result of Turkey’s invasion, more than 160,000 Cypriots, representing nearly one-third of the population of Cyprus, have been forcibly displaced from their homeland; and

Whereas, The European Court of Human Rights has issued judgements declaring that families and individuals who hold the titles to property located in occupied Cyprus are the only rightful owners of that property; and

Whereas, Turkey has ignored United Nations Security Council resolutions that call for the immediate return of portions of occupied Cyprus to their legal habitants; and

Whereas, Human rights monitors have documented repeated violations in occupied Cyprus; and

Whereas, Reports also detail the desecration of hundreds of Christian churches and other religious sites in the occupied territory of Cyprus; and

Whereas, The Turkish government has failed to sufficiently support international efforts to find and identify the remains of more than 900 people, including four United States citizens, who have remained missing since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus; and

Whereas, The international community remains committed to a solution based on United Nations Security Council resolutions and international law, for a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with a single sovereignty, single citizenship, and single international personality, with political equality as described in relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions; and

Whereas, Turkey openly calls for a “two-state” solution in Cyprus, in violation of binding United Nations Security Council resolutions, and in disregard of the expressed position of the international community; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

1. This House unequivocally condemns Turkey’s illegal invasion and occupation of Cyprus since 1974 and calls upon Turkey to immediately withdraw all of its occupying forces from the island.

2. This House urges that a comprehensive solution to the occupation of Cyprus be based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with a single sovereignty, single citizenship, and single international personality, as described in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

3. Turkey is called upon to fully respect all international human rights agreements, including the European Convention on Human Rights and the Geneva Conventions and to abide by the numerous international resolutions that uphold the fundamental rights of native Cypriots to freedom and self-determination.

4. Turkey is urged to fully cooperate in determining the fate of all remaining missing persons, including four United States citizens.

5. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the President of the United States, the United States Secretary of State, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, and each member of Congress elected from this State.

STATEMENT

This Senate resolution condemns the illegal invasion and occupation of Cyprus since 1974 and calls upon Turkey to immediately withdraw all of its occupying forces from the island.

As a result of Turkey’s invasion 51 years ago, more than 160,000 Cypriots, representing nearly one-third of the population of Cyprus, have been forcibly displaced from their homeland. The European Court of Human Rights has declared that people who hold the titles to property located in occupied Cyprus are the only rightful property owners. Turkey has ignored United Nations Security Council resolutions that call for the immediate return of that land to their legal habitants.

Human rights monitors have documented repeated violations in the areas of Cyprus under Turkish control and there have been reports of desecration of hundreds of Christian churches and other religious sites in that area. Turkey is called upon to fully respect all international human rights agreements, including the European Convention on Human Rights and the Geneva Conventions and to abide by the numerous international resolutions that uphold the fundamental rights of native Cypriots to freedom and self-determination.

This resolution urges for a comprehensive solution to the occupation of Cyprus based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with a single sovereignty, single citizenship, and single international personality, as described in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The resolution urges the Turkish government to fully cooperate in efforts to find and identify the remains of more than 900 people, including four United States citizens, who have remained missing since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974.