Cypriot refugees

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Cypriot refugees are those Cypriot nationals or Cyprus residents, who had been forced out of their homes and properties during the Cyprus conflict.

Contents

1963-74 background

Main articles: Cyprus dispute and Civilian casualties and displacements during the Cyprus conflict

Tension began in 1963 when Makarios proposed thirteen amendments to the constitution of the Republic of Cyprus. Turkish Cypriots were opposed to the proposal since it sought to remove their constitutional safeguards which Greek Cypriots claimed to be problematic in the conduct of government. On 21 December 1963, clashes between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots erupted unleashed a wave of violence across the island. Facing violence from Greek Cypriot paramilitaries in favour of unification with Greece, thousands of Turkish Cypriots fled their properties to enclaves with Turkish Cypriot majorities. By 1974, an attempted coup sponsored by Athens with the aim of overthrowing the Cypriot government and uniting the island with Greece was met with a military invasion of the island by Turkey, using its role as guarantor power to prevent annexation of the island.

Post-1974

Main articles: Annan Plan for Cyprus and Cyprus dispute

Turkey in 1974 advanced to occupy ~38% of the island in the north of the Republic of Cyprus. Greek Cypriots in the north (nearly half the Greek Cypriot population of the island) were forced by the advancing Turkish Army to flee south. Likewise, Turkish Cypriots who had not already fled to the enclaves during the intercommunal violence now chose to do so. It is estimated that 40% of the Greek population of Cyprus were displaced, as well as over half of the Turkish Cypriot population by the Turkish Invasion. The figures for internally displaced Cypriots varies, the United Peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) estimates 165,000 Greek Cypriots and 45,000 Turkish Cypriots. The UNHCR registers slightly higher figures of 200,000 and 65,000 respectively, being partly based on official Cypriot statistics which register children of displaced families as refugees.[1] The separation of the two communities via the UN patrolled Green Line prohibited the return of all internally displaced people.

By 1983 the Turkish Cypriots made a unilateral declaration of independence, proclaiming the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, to be recognised only by Turkey. A number of Greek Cypriots therefore chose to take their case to the European Court of Human Rights filing against Turkey, arguing their homes are being occuped by migrant workers brought from Turkey with the intention of altering the demographics of the island.

Through the years multiple demonstrations and rallies have been made by the Greek Cypriots demanding to return to their properties, such as the 1996 demonstration ending in the death of Anastasios (Tasos) Isaak and Solomos Solomou and a further 41 injured, leading to much condemnation of Turkey's conduct. Other demonstrations had been orchestrated by Greek Cypriot women, several thousand attempting to return to their homes and properties in 1989 without success.[2]

Neither the Greek or Turkish Cypriot displaced people are considered to be in any need of humanitarian aid. The Greek Cypriot government had instituted a programme of housing and aid for the displaced, also benefitting from the boom in tourism across the south of the island. Turkish Cypriot relief came mainly in the form of economic aid from Turkey as well as the allocation of formerly Greek Cypriot owned houses.[3]

In April 2003, owing to dissatisfaction with his policies both domestically and internationally, the hardline Turkish Cypriot President Rauf Denktaş opened the border crossing for the first time since the island was divided, allowing both Greek and Turkish Cypriots to view their property since the separation of the two communities. Crossing procedures have since been relaxed allowing both Cypriots to move relatively freely across the island.

It was hoped Cyprus's accession to the European Union would provide an impetus for reunficiation of the island and in 2004 the UN backed Annan plan was put into referendum for both sides of the island. The plan envisaged a bicommunal, bizonal, federal state, with territorial concessions by the Turkish Cypriot state but only a limited right of return for displaced Greek Cypriots. The plan was accepted by the Turkish Cypriot, but rejected by Greek Cypriots. Cyprus subsequently entered the EU as a divided island, with subsequent attempts at reunification proving fruitless.

In 2006, owing to the potential huge number of law suits against Turkey, the European Court of Human Rights called on Turkey in December to find "effective domestic remedies" for the mass displacement of Greek Cypriots. The result was a property commission established by the Turkish Cypriots offering right of return for Greek Cypriots so long as the property was unnocupied, or not in an area of military significance. A number of applicants have received compesantion or a right to return. The Greek Cypriots have refused to recognise the commission as a proper means of redress, with some politicians going as far to suggest treason for those who accept.[4]

Turkeys accession to the EU has been plagued with problems stemming from the Cyprus problem. Turkey's non-recognition of the Republic of Cyprus has meant Turkey refuses to open its ports to Greek Cypriot shipping and planes. Turkey argues it will only do so when the embargoe on Turkish Cypriots are lifted. A recent Finnish plan involving the return of Varosha (Turkish: Maraş) - an abandoned resort town in Turkish control - in return for relaxing of Turkish Cypriot embargoes, failed, threatening Turkeys accession to Europe and leaving the problem of displaced Cypriots unresolved.

Notes

  1. ^ http://www.internal-displacement.org/8025708F004CE90B/(httpCountrySummaries)/404B5F063033BD4B802570C00056B6EA?OpenDocument&count=10000
  2. ^
  3. ^ http://www.internal-displacement.org/8025708F004CE90B/(httpCountrySummaries)/404B5F063033BD4B802570C00056B6EA?OpenDocument&count=10000
  4. ^ http://www.washingtontimes.com/world/20060625-103518-1257r.htm Turkish land offer rejected by Greeks

References

See also

Greco-Turkish relations

External links

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