TAKE ACTION: Email the Foreign Secretary about Varosi and Turkey's second invasion

On 20 July, on the 47th anniversary of the first wave of Turkey’s illegal invasion of Cyprus in 1974, President Erdogan and the occupation regime in Cyprus announced the illegal ‘opening’ of part of the fenced off area of Varosi, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. Now, ahead of the anniversary of the second wave of Turkey’s illegal invasion on 14 August 1974, we’re encouraging you to write to the Foreign Secretary about Turkey’s illegal actions.

Read more about the issue: Our Varosi briefing

TAKE ACTION now by asking the Foreign Secretary to ensure that the UK Government leads the international community’s decisive response to Turkey’s violations of international law in Cyprus and to make clear that, where there are violations, there must be meaningful consequences as well as unequivocal condemnation.

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Email the Foreign Secretary about Cyprus

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Dear Foreign Secretary, The 14th August marks the tragic anniversary of the second wave of the illegal Turkish invasion and subsequent military occupation of the northern part of Cyprus – a member state of the United Nations, the Commonwealth and the European Union. Following the first wave of the invasion by Turkey on 20 July 1974, negotiations commenced on July 25th in Geneva on what has become known as the Cyprus issue. Turkey had presented its demands for a territorial separation of the two communities on the island and for population transfers. The request by the Acting President of the Republic of Cyprus for short time to consider these demands was rejected by the Turkey. Within 1.5 hours of the breakdown of the Conference, Turkey launched the second wave of its invasion on 14 August 1974, violently extending its control over the island and expanding the occupation from 3% to the 36% it holds to this day. As a result of this second invasion, Turkey captured key towns and regions of Cyprus, including Famagusta, Morphou and Karpasia creating hundreds of thousands of refugees, many of whom fled to the UK. These refugees, and the entire Cypriot diaspora in the UK, long to see the island reunited and refugees able to return to their homes. For 47 years, Turkey continues to militarily occupy the island blatantly violating UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions regarding Cyprus. Just last month, on 20 July 2021, President Erdogan and the occupation regime in Cyprus announced their plans to open part of the fenced off area of Varosi, in addition to another part of the area they had illegally announced open in October 2020. The UNSC has consistently and repeatedly called for control of Varosi to be transferred to the United Nations, including through resolutions 550 (1984), 789 (1992), 2561 (2021) and most recently 2587 (2021), until a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue is reached, so that the area’s lawful inhabitants can return safely and not under conditions of Turkish military occupation. Turkey’s latest action regarding Varosi is yet another blatant violation of UNSC Resolutions and seriously undermines prospects for the resumption of negotiations and a solution to the Cyprus issue. In reaction, the UNSC in a Presidential Statement dated 23 July 2021, condemned the latest announcement by the Turkish President and the Turkish Cypriot leader and specifically called for “the reversal of this course of action and the reversal of all steps taken on Varosi since October 2020”. Instead, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leader continue to advocate for the permanent partition of the island and its people – in what is blatantly contrary to the agreed UN framework for a solution and therefore unacceptable. The United Kingdom has both an obligation and a responsibility towards Cyprus, as a Guarantor of its independence, territorial integrity and security under the 1960 Treaties and as a permanent member of the UNSC and penholder on Cyprus. Given its close and multi-faceted relationship with Turkey, the UK can and should act decisively when the Turkish leadership telegraphs its intentions, including through public statements, to violate Security Council Resolutions and act unilaterally in ways that create additional fait accomplis, and seriously undermine efforts to return to the negotiating table. Regarding Varosi, the Turkish intentions were made known repeatedly by the Turkish government officials over the last two years, which, together with the serious concerns expressed by the Republic of Cyprus Government, should have been ample warning for the UK to engage in a timely and robust manner. Experience has clearly shown that if one waits until Turkey’s intentions materialise, it will be too late. My request to you, as the Foreign Secretary, is for the UK to act even at this stage and demand the reversal of Turkey’s actions in Varosi, for Turkey to cease all provocations and return to the negotiating table to finally reach a solution to the Cyprus issue, on the agreed basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, with political equality as set out in relevant UNSC resolutions, with a single sovereignty, single citizenship and single international personality – a position that the UK publicly supports. I am therefore disappointed and deeply troubled by reports that the UK attempted to water down the UNSC’s response to Turkey’s violations in Varosi last month. It is concerning that it took what appears to be strong opposition by the members of the UNSC for the final Statement to reflect the reality of Turkey’s actions on the ground. I am also very concerned by reports that the UK proposed, within the context of the UNSC resolution to renew UNFICYP’s mandate, wording that would dilute the agreed basis for the solution to the Cyprus problem. Once again, this was met with strong opposition by the other members of the Council. Particularly at a time when Turkey is jettisoning the agreed bizonal, bicommunal federation framework, it is even more important for there to be absolute clarity that the basis for the solution remains unchanged. Failure to do so will only further encourage Turkey’s revisionism, aggression and unlawful acts. Turkey’s violations of UNSC Resolutions, illegal actions in Cyprus and unacceptable proposals for a Turkey “made to measure” solution, do not just impact the island, they undermine the integrity of the rules-based international system and damage British interests on the island and in the Eastern Mediterranean. Global Britain’s positive foreign policy agenda must always prioritise upholding and defending international law and human rights against those who violate them. Where there are violations, not only must there be unequivocal condemnation, but there must be meaningful consequences. It is time for the UK to lead the international community’s decisive response to Turkey’s violations in Cyprus. I look forward to hearing from you on this important issue. The continuing illegal occupation and forced division of the island and its people is an open wound not only for the Cypriots on the island, but for the vast Cypriot community in the UK as well as those who are friends of Cyprus across the United Kingdom, all of whom expect their Government to consistently stand up for the rule of law and justice. Yours sincerely,

TAKE ACTION: Email the Foreign Secretary about Varosi and Turkey’s second invasion

Email the Foreign Secretary about Cyprus