i. 50 years ago the Republic of Cyprus was invaded by Turkey in July and August 1974, resulting in the illegal occupation of 36% of Cyprus and the displacement of more than 150,000 Cypriots.
ii. Canada has condemned the invasion, as has the world community, including the United Nations, through resolution 360 of the UN Security Council.
iii. Canada played a key role as a peacekeeper in Cyprus between 1964 and 1993.
The House
a. pay tribute to the 33,000 Canadian soldiers who put their lives on the line and honour the memory of the 28 Canadian soldiers who died during the deployment including during the invasion, and
b. reiterates its condemnation of the invasion of Cyprus and calls on all parties to respect international law, end the illegal occupation and act to ensure the reunification of the Republic of Cyprus.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
“MP Niki Ashton’s Motion on ending the Turkish occupation in Cyprus and Canada’s Cyprus peacekeepers has passed the House of Commons unanimously”
Canada‘s House of Commons has unanimously passed a resolution that marks the 50th anniversary of the two invasions of Cyprus by Turkey that led to the ongoing illegal occupation of 36% of the Republic of Cyprus. The resolution condemned the invasion, called for the end of the illegal occupation and supported efforts to reunify Cyprus.
The resolution also paid tribute to the more than 33,000 Canadians that served as peacekeepers in Cyprus, in particular the 28 that died during the nearly 30 year deployment.
In the resolution, Ms. Ashton highlighted the human cost of the invasion in terms of victims, missing persons and the displacement of more than 150,000 Cypriots.
Following the passage of the resolution, Ms. Ashton thanked all parties in the House of Commons for their support.
She also credited Senator Leo Housakos and Members of Parliament Emmanuella Lambropoulos and Annie Koutrakis for their efforts to ensure the House of Commons passed the motion unanimously
Following the passage of the resolution, Ashton stressed just how important this motion from the House of Commons is. “We made a clear statement that we not only condemned the invasion and continued occupation of the Republic of Cyprus but that we have not forgotten what happened and that we will continue to work for the reunification of Cyprus.”
“We also made a clear statement, recognizing the sacrifice and commitment of so many Canadians, the Canadian peacekeepers who did everything they could under extremely difficult circumstances to help save lives. We will remember their service and sacrifice.”
Finally Ashton stressed that “We will remember the invasion and commit to nothing less than fighting for justice for Cypriots and the reunification of Cyprus".
Text of Motion:
Ms. Niki Ashton (Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, NDP):
