CYPRUS PETITION AT THE EUROPEAN ECUMENICAL ASSEMBLY

Financial Mirror, Cyprus
10/09/2007

The Third European Ecumenical Assembly, currently underway in Romania,
is set to debate a petition on the situation in Cyprus, as the only
European country with European citizens who are war refugees and
occupation forces on its territory.

A Church of Cyprus delegation is participating in the meeting, attended
by more than two thousand delegates, which brings together Christian
leaders from across Europe and its central theme is "The light of
Christ enlightens everybody! Hope for renewal and unity in Europe".

The Cypriot participants will have the right to vote in the joint
decisions the Assembly will take.

The petition, put forward for discussion at the forum dealing with
refugee issues in Europe, notes that Turkey invaded Cyprus in July
1974 in violation of the UN Charter and as a result approximately
40 per cent of the total territory of the Republic of Cyprus came
under Turkish occupation and about 40 per cent of the Greek Cypriots
were displaced.

"That Turkey committed atrocities in the course of its invasion is
not surprising at all in view of its record in the Balkans, Syria,
Armenia and in Anatolia and its long standing policies of population
expulsion and transfer and of discrimination against non Turkish
ethnic groups," the petition says.

The petition refers to judgments by the European Court of Human Rights
against Turkey, which was found guilty of continuous violation of
human rights in Cyprus.

There are also references to decisions by other international bodies,
including the UN General Assembly, the Non Aligned Movement, the
Commonwealth and the European Parliament.

"Turkish troops continue to prevent the refugees from returning to
their homes. Turkey flagrantly violates the basic human rights and
fundamental freedoms of the Greek Cypriots, and systematically directs
its efforts against the cultural heritage of the occupied areas as
part of its policy to eradicate and destroy any proof of the 9,000
year old Cypriot history and culture," it adds.

Finally, it is pointed out that Turkey follows a policy and methods
of "ethnic cleansing" at the very time when it wants to join the
European Union.

Cypriot theologian George Kakouras, member of the church delegation
to the meeting, has told CNA that participants can submit issues for
discussion at the various fora of the conference which can be carried
forward for debate at the General Assembly of the meeting.

"We have handed in a petition at the forum which is dealing with
refugee issues in Europe," he explained.

The Cyprus Church delegation participated in the forum which discussed
xenophobia, racism, marginalization of people and other related issues.

The General Assembly will hold its debate tomorrow afternoon and
concluded the same evening.