SENT TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE UK PARLIAMENT

1 June 2010

Dear Sir/Madame,

Re: The Republic of Cyprus and Turkey

I am writing on behalf of St Ambrose (Ayios Amvrosios Association), a UK human rights organisation, to congratulate you on your recent, election/re-election to the British Parliament and to wish you every success in dealing with the many challenges that will come your way as an MP.

There is no doubt that this is an exceptionally tough time and that there are a great number of issues that will be of priority for the new government and for all newly elected and returned Parliamentarians, in particular of course, the current economic crisis. But there are foreign policy issues that need to be addressed too, such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, particularly the latter, where many British soldiers are sacrificing their lives in a war, that in the eyes of many, Britain should not be involved in at all.

However, I respectfully ask that in addition to the above, you include in your list of foreign affairs matters which should be addressed as a mater of priority – the Republic of Cyprus and its continued military occupation by its powerful neighbour, Turkey.

I will not take much of your time with the details of this tragic case. The facts and figures, United Nations resolutions, etc are well documented. However, I am sure you will agree that:-

· it is not acceptable for a member state of the European Union, to still be under the military occupation of an aspiring EU member, Turkey;

· it is not right that European citizens (Cypriot refugees) are refused the right to return to their homes and properties despite many resolutions and legal opinions calling for their safe return and/or confirming their legal right to do so;

· it is totally inhumane as well as criminal under international law to withhold information for years on the fate and whereabouts of missing persons, hundreds of whom, on the evidence of recent findings were executed in

SENT TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE UK PARLIAMENT

1 June 2010

Dear Sir/Madame,

Re: The Republic of Cyprus and Turkey

I am writing on behalf of St Ambrose (Ayios Amvrosios Association), a UK human rights organisation, to congratulate you on your recent, election/re-election to the British Parliament and to wish you every success in dealing with the many challenges that will come your way as an MP.

There is no doubt that this is an exceptionally tough time and that there are a great number of issues that will be of priority for the new government and for all newly elected and returned Parliamentarians, in particular of course, the current economic crisis. But there are foreign policy issues that need to be addressed too, such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, particularly the latter, where many British soldiers are sacrificing their lives in a war, that in the eyes of many, Britain should not be involved in at all.

However, I respectfully ask that in addition to the above, you include in your list of foreign affairs matters which should be addressed as a mater of priority – the Republic of Cyprus and its continued military occupation by its powerful neighbour, Turkey.

I will not take much of your time with the details of this tragic case. The facts and figures, United Nations resolutions, etc are well documented. However, I am sure you will agree that:-

• it is not acceptable for a member state of the European Union, to still be under the military occupation of an aspiring EU member, Turkey;
• it is not right that European citizens (Cypriot refugees) are refused the right to return to their homes and properties despite many resolutions and legal opinions calling for their safe return and/or confirming their legal right to do so;
• it is totally inhumane as well as criminal under international law to withhold information for years on the fate and whereabouts of missing persons, hundreds of whom, on the evidence of recent findings were executed in cold blood during and after the invasion, on the orders of the Turkish military high command.

If you agree with the above, as I hope you do, I kindly ask that you do all in your power to bring an end to the current division of the Republic of Cyprus, to put pressure on Turkey to withdraw its troops and to allow the Cypriot people to build the future of their island, without fear and intimidation.

Looking forward to your response

Yours Sincerely

Angelos Beshonges

Chairman

cold blood during and after the invasion, on the orders of the Turkish military high command.

If you agree with the above, as I hope you do, I kindly ask that you do all in your power to bring an end to the current division of the Republic of Cyprus, to put pressure on Turkey to withdraw its troops and to allow the Cypriot people to build the future of their island, without fear and intimidation.

Looking forward to your response

Yours Sincerely

Angelos Beshonges

Chairman