The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus has rejected and condemned the assertions contained in a statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry concerning the resolution adopted by the European Parliament on 8 July.
Nicosia's response
In a press release on Saturday, the Cypriot Ministry noted that the European Parliament unequivocally condemned, once more, the military invasion by Turkey and the continued illegal occupation of part of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus as a serious violation of international law and an obstacle to peace, stability and European Union-Turkey relations.
The Parliament also condemned, in line with core EU values and principles, the grave violations of human rights stemming from the invasion, with specific reference to sexual violence against women and girls during and after 1974, the press release added.
"Turkey is reminded that it continues to bear responsibility under international law for these violations and is called upon to acknowledge these deplorable acts, to assume responsibility and to provide full and effective reparations," the Ministry stated.
Fifty-two years after the invasion and ongoing military occupation, Turkey remains responsible to the international community and to the victims and survivors, whose suffering and resilience deserve remembrance, justice and respect, the Ministry noted.
What the resolution says
The resolution on the impact of the 1974 Turkish invasion on the women and girls of Cyprus, the crimes committed by Turkish forces and the consequences for gender equality was adopted on Wednesday by the plenary of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. It passed with 575 votes in favour, 33 against and 43 abstentions, with all Cypriot MEPs voting in favour. Greek MEP Eleonora Meleti is the rapporteur for the file.
The Parliament condemned in the strongest possible terms the invasion and ongoing occupation, and denounced its consequences for women and girls, including conflict-related sexual violence, other forms of sexual exploitation, forced displacement, the separation of families and other violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law.
Obligation to provide reparations
The European Parliament stressed that Turkey continues to bear responsibility under international law for violations committed during and after the invasion, including serious breaches of the Geneva Conventions. It stated that this responsibility entails an obligation to provide full reparation to the victims, including compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition.
