Statement during the general debate on the oral update by the High Commissioner, reports on OHCHR activities in Colombia, Guatemala and Honduras, OHCHR report on Cyprus and oral update on Eritrea

"Thank you Mr President,

Greece aligns itself with the EU Statement.

Madam High Commissioner,

We  thank you for your oral update, reports and your continuous work on human rights worldwide. We remain firmly committed to the cooperation with your Office.

We fully support the mandate of the OHCHR regarding the human rights situation in Cyprus. Regrettably, this year’s report yet again ignores the responsibilities of Turkey, the occupying power of over a third of the Republic of Cyprus’ territory, for gross and systematic human rights violations.

Denial of the right of thousands of Greek-Cypriots to free movement, to property, massive illegal settlement, and systematic destruction of cultural and religious heritage in the occupied area cannot be ignored. The human rights situation of enclaved Greek-Cypriots, neither. The families of the missing persons deserve to not be kept in traumatic uncertainty by Turkey’s willful procrastination to provide information. The bicommunal Committee on Missing Persons must be provided with information and allowed access to all suspected burial grounds, including military sites.

Greece underlines Turkey’s illegal and provocative activities, aimed at imposing new fait accomplis in the fenced area of Varosha and in the Ceasefire Line. These come at the expense of the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus, in flagrant violation of the UN Charter, UN Security Council Resolutions, the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea, and International legality as a whole.

Madam High Commissioner,

Forty eight years after the Turkish invasion, we regret having to point out that what the report calls “the division of Cyprus” is in fact a military occupation. It must be treated as such.

Thank you"