Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-04-18

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

Wednesday, 18 April 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] References to violations of Human Rights in Cyprus in the 57th session of the Commission of Human Rights
• [02] Government protests against violations of Cyprus' airspace

[01] References to violations of Human Rights in Cyprus in the 57th session of the Commission of Human Rights

Speaking at the 57th Session of the Commission of Human Rights in Geneva, Mrs Williams referred to the last series of reports of the European Commission of Human Rights, which describe the adverse circumstances of the daily lives of the Greek Cypriots in northern Cyprus.

Mrs Williams referred to the European Commission's 1999 report which stated that "the absence of normal means of communication, the unavailability in practice of the Greek Cypriot press, the insufficient number of priests, the difficult choice before which parents and schoolchildren are put regarding secondary education, the restrictions and formalities applied to freedom of movement, the impossibility to preserve property rights upon departure or death and the various other restrictions, create a feeling among the persons concerned of being compelled to live in a hostile environment in which it is hardly possible to lead a normal private and family life".

She said that the Commission had concluded unanimously that there had been a violation of the respect for the private and family life of the Greek Cypriots living in north Cyprus. Moreover, there is a steady decrease of the numbers of Greek Cypriots because of specific measures, which prevent the renewal of the population. "The restrictions imposed on them have the effect of ensuring that inexorably with the passage of time, those communities will cease to exist in the northern part of the island," she added.

In her intervention on the subject of women, Mrs Williams said that the Cyprus Government has intensified its efforts to ensure equal rights and opportunities for both women and men, through the adoption of specific legislative measures and the strengthening of national mechanisms. In this context, she reiterated the crucial role of education. "Cyprus' population has one of the highest percentages of university graduates in the world, a substantial number of which are female", she said.

On the subject of rights of the child, Cyprus' Representative Mrs Thessalia - Salina Shambos said that the legislation for the care and protection of children is regularly reviewed in order to update the domestic legal framework with new international instruments on children's rights.

Regarding the Convention on the Rights of the Child, she pointed out that the Cyprus Government is currently implementing a five year multi- dimensional plan of action for children and has established a Central Committee for Monitoring the Implementation of the Convention, which targets in increasing public awareness on the rights of children.

[02] Government protests against violations of Cyprus' airspace

In his letter addressed to the United Nations Secretary General on 9 April 2001, the Cyprus Ambassador stressed that these actions, which violate international law as well as the Security Council resolutions on Cyprus, are taking place at a time when the international community expects the Turkish side to reverse its decision not to attend the next round of negotiations under UN auspices and to withdraw its unacceptable preconditions for the continuation of the talks.

"The government of Turkey should abide by the Charter of the United Nations and respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and contribute towards a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the United Nations resolutions," he said.

Moreover, he requested that the letter be circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda item 64, and of the Security Council.

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

Cyprus Press and Information Office: News Updates in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article