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Sunday, 22 December 2024
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Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 08-06-24Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>CONTENTS
[01] EUROPEAN COURT - TURKEYThe European Court of Human Rights has found Turkey guilty of human rights violations in two cases Greek Cypriots had brought before the Court.The Court unanimously ruled that Ankara is guilty of violating Article 2 (right to life) of the European Convention on Human Rights in respect of the killing of Anastasios Isaak and Solomos Solomou. The Court also ruled that Turkey is guilty of violating Article 2 in respect of the failure to conduct an effective investigation into the circumstances in which Anastasios Isaak and Solomos Solomou were killed. Under Article 41 (just satisfaction) of the Convention, the Court awarded 80,000 euro to Anastasios Isaaks widow for pecuniary damage. In respect of non-pecuniary damage, the Court awarded 35,000 euro each to Anastasios Isaaks widow, his parents, and to Solomos Solomous father, and also 15,000 euro to each of Anastasios Isaaks and Solomos Solomous siblings. The applicants in both cases were also awarded 12,000 for costs and expenses. The two applications were filed to the Court by the families of Tasos Isaak and Solomou Solomou, both of whom were murdered by Turkish or Turkish Cypriots during demonstrations in 1996. The 25-year-old Tasos Isaak was beaten to death on 11 August 1996 by a Turkish mob, while taking part in an anti-occupation demonstration at Dherynia, on the east of the island. The killing took place in the UN-controlled buffer zone, which separates the northern Turkish occupied north from the southern government controlled part of the country. Solomos Solomou, then aged 26, was killed on 14 August 1996, after being shot three times by Turkish snipers, while trying to climb a pole in order to remove a Turkish flag from its mast. The killing happened after the funeral of his cousin Tassos Isaak. The appeals to ECHR against Turkey were based on Articles 2 (right to life), 8 (right to respect for private and family life) and 14 (prohibition of discrimination), whilst in the case of Solomou was also based on Articles 1 (obligation to respect human rights) and 3 (prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment). Turkey has continued to occupy 37 per cent of the north of the island of Cyprus following its illegal invasion of 1974, and has defied countless UN resolutions to withdraw its troops from the island. [02] CULTURAL HERITAGE - OCCUPIED AREASThe Cyprus embassy in France has denounced the destruction of the countrys historic and religious monuments in the islands northern areas, occupied by Turkey since 1974. The embassy says that the Monastery of Saint Anastasia, a 19th century church in the occupied village of Lapithos has been turned into a hotel with a casino, named Anastasia Resort Hotel.A press release issued by the embassy and posted on the Hellenic Diaspora website shows pictures of the transformation of the church to a hotel. The text said that one of the most tragic aspects of the Cyprus question, since the invasion and occupation by the Turkish troops of the northern part of Cyprus, is the destruction and looting of the historic and religion monuments. There have been destructions to such an extent that can be described as a cultural cleansing, it is noted. It also points out that cultural cleansing is systematic and results in the destruction of the peoples heritage. Turkey wants, through this policy, to eradicate the character of this part of the Cyprus territory, in its efforts to justify the fait accompli of the invasion and occupation, it is added. [03] INTERIOR MINISTER - ATHENS VISITCypriot Minister of Interior Neoclis Sylikiotis will be traveling to Athens on Wednesday for an official visit, at the invitation of his Greek counterpart, Prokopis Pavlopoulos. According to a press release, during his visit to the Greek capital, he will exchange views with the Greek Minister on a series of issues relating to the competencies of the two ministries.Sylikiotis will also visit an aggregate processing factory. The objective of the visit is to exchange knowledge, experience, views and suggestions, but also to establish common positions with the Greek government on issues of mutual interest within the European Union. The Minister is due back on June 28. [04] CYPRUS - UN COMMITTEECyprus and Italy have been elected as the two new members of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The election took place during the second session of the General Assembly of the States Parties to the Convention for the Safeguarding for the Intangible Cultural Heritage, from 16 to 19 June 2008 at UNESCO headquarters.An official press release has said that Cyprus participation in the Committee will contribute to promotion, exhibition and maintenance of the traditional features, as well as to the safeguarding of its cultural and historic culture and will give the opportunity to promote its diversity and uniqueness. Cyprus cultural heritage has been systematically destroyed by the Turkish occupation troops, since they invaded in 1974. Churches have been pillaged, archaeological sites left to the elements, monasteries turned into inns, houses and other buildings damaged. The government of Cyprus and the Church of Cyprus have repeatedly protested the continuing destruction of the islands cultural, religious and historical heritage. Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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