Mr. President,
In Cyprus, Turkish Cypriot human rights and freedoms continue to be held held hostage to an all-embracing isolation for more than half a century now. Since the forceful Greek Cypriot takeover of the once partnership Republic in 1963, Turkish Cypriots are prevented from interaction with international community in all fields of life, including trade, travel, sporting, cultural and educational activities.
As also noted in the annual report on human rights in Cyprus, the increasing cases of discrimination and maltreatment as well as hatred attacks against Turkish Cypriots and Muslim religious sites; the lack of preventive and punitive measures in this regard; restrictions on freedom of religion and belief, including access to mosques and facilities for unlimited worship; and the legislative ban on the usage of Turkish names for geographical places, continue unabated in South Cyprus. Long lasting Greek Cypriot refusal to establish a single Turkish language school in South Cyprus, and the discriminatory policy on crossings to South, which denies access to Turkish Cypriots on the basis of the origin of their ancestors, are also recorded.
Among the violations which are not included in the present report, but needs to be stressed within the allocated time, is the lack of comprehensive legislation providing satisfactory remedies to Turkish Cypriots for their properties left in South Cyprus.
Thank you, Mr. President.