British MP Theresa Villiers has called for freedom and justice for Famagusta, which is still under Turkish occupation 48 years after the second phase of Turkey’s invasion against Cyprus in 1974.
In a press release, the Conservative MP of Chipping Barnet says that “I am calling for freedom and justice for Famagusta. It is deeply unjust that Famagusta and a third of Cyprus remains occupied by Turkish troops”.
She notes that 48 years ago, in its second invasion of Cyprus, Turkey “ruthlessly took control of 38% of this island. It is wholly unacceptable that their troops have remained there ever since”.
“Many times, I have met with constituents who were forced to flee from their homes in Famagusta in 1974. It is shocking that nearly half a century later, they are still denied their property rights and prevented from returning to their homes. I know that this causes great pain and hurt” she underlines.
In her press release, Villiers says that “my concerns are compounded by recent decisions by Mr Erdogan to reopen areas in Famagusta, including part of the beachfront”.
This, she points out, “is contrary to longstanding UN resolutions. It will make the search for a negotiated settlement even more difficult”.
Concluding, the British MP says that she has condemned what has taken place and expresses solidarity with constituents who come originally from Famagusta and who have been campaigning for freedom for their city.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Varosha, the fenced off section of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta, is often described as a ‘ghost town’.
UN Security Council resolution 550 (1984) considers any attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN. UN Security Council resolution 789 (1992) also urges that with a view to the implementation of resolution 550 (1984), the area at present under the control of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus be extended to include Varosha.
The Turkish Cypriot leadership announced in July 2021 a partial lifting of the military status in Varosha. A few months earlier, on October 8, 2020, the Turkish side opened part of the fenced area of Varosha, following an announcement made in Ankara on October 6. The UN Security Council called for the reversal of this course of action, while the UN Secretary General, in his latest report on his mission of good offices in Cyprus, reiterated his concern over developments in the fenced-off area, noting that the position of the UN on Varosha remains unchanged. The EU also expressed grave concern.
Source: Cyprus News Agency