Human rights violations by Turkey are still taking place in Cyprus, said Deputy Foreign Minister Alexandros Zenon at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

“Despite existing judgements of the European Court of Human Rights, finding Turkey guilty of continuous violations of the Convention of the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in Cyprus, Turkey has so far failed to implement the Court’s decisions,” said the minister.

Excerpts from his speech are below:

“You are certainly aware that the two communities on the island have resumed negotiations, aimed at achieving a lasting settlement and that there has been significant progress on a number of issues.

This is reason for cautious optimism.

It should be stressed, however, that a lot of ground remains to be covered on some of the most difficult and sensitive aspects of the problem.

President Anastasiades remains fully committed and determined to continue working closely and sincerely with the Turkish Cypriot leader, in order to reach a settlement.

One should bear in mind, though, that however much good will the two communities show, the active contribution of Turkey, which, I remind, maintains more than 40.000 troops on the island, is indispensible for a viable and lasting solution.”

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