Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral Affairs, Ambassador Andreas Kakouris, represented the Republic of Cyprus at the UNGA80 3rd Committee in NY and underlined, inter alia, the violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms of Cypriots, as a result of the Turkish invasion and continued occupation.
He also reaffirmed Cyprus’ commitment to promoting multilateralism for a peaceful and prosperous world.
In his intervention Kakouris raised, once again, the issue of human rights and violations of fundamental freedoms of Greek Cypriots resulting from the invasion and continuing occupation of part of Cyprus by Turkey.
He recalled that a large proportion of Greek Cypriots remain displaced and deprived of their right to return and to peacefully enjoy their properties. He also denounced the illegal exploitation and use of Greek Cypriot properties by the occupying regime.
He made special reference to the transfer of settlers from Turkey to Cyprus as part of a systematic plan to alter the island’s demographic character. He further emphasized that the decrease in the number of enclaved Greek Cypriots in the occupied areas is the result of persistent harassment, intimidation, and discriminatory treatment on the basis of national origin, race, and religion by the occupying regime.
Kakouris also referred to the major humanitarian issue of missing persons, calling on Turkey to provide information from its military archives on their fate and to allow unrestricted access to military areas for excavations and exhumations.
He raised the issue of violence against women and girls, noting that discrimination and economic marginalization persist. He underlined, however, that the Government of Cyprus has taken concrete measures within the international institutional framework to promote gender equality.
On trafficking in persons, he described it as a heinous crime and a serious global problem affecting millions of people. Combating trafficking, protecting victims, prosecuting perpetrators, and enhancing coordination and cooperation to eradicate the phenomenon are among the top priorities of the Cypriot Government, he said.
Ambassador Kakouris reaffirmed Cyprus’ strong commitment to the rights of the child and youth. Cyprus, he noted, firmly supports the full, effective, and meaningful participation of young people in decision-making processes at all levels-local, national, regional, and international-including within the United Nations.
Regarding the human rights of older persons, he highlighted that Cyprus has adopted its first National Strategy and Action Plan for Active Ageing.
He also referred to the looting and vandalism of the rich cultural heritage in the occupied part of Cyprus and stressed the importance of the Nicosia Convention-a protection mechanism for cultural heritage-which remains the only international treaty providing for the criminalization of offences related to the destruction, illicit trafficking, and illegal trade of cultural property.
In conclusion Kakouris reiterated that Cyprus stands ready to cooperate constructively with all UN member states to strengthen multilateralism and ensure a just, peaceful, and prosperous world for present and future generations.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.