CYPRUS OCCUPIED MUNICIPALITIES COMMITTEE
The Turkish invasion in July 1974 violently interrupted the historical course through the ages in the northern part of the Republic of Cyprus ( RoC ). During and right after the invasion , Turkey implemented its plans for ethnic cleansing in the occupied area . It committed unspeakable international crimes as these are defined by international law . Within a short time , almost 200.000 legitimate Greek Cypriot residents were expelled from their homes and properties . These victims of this ethnic cleansing found refuge and employment both in the free areas of Cyprus and overseas . Turkish Cypriots , who had lived in the now free area of the RoC , were also victimized since Turkey forced them to settle in the occupied area ; a few years later , a considerable number of them emigrated to other countries .
Since 1974 almost 37 % of the northern territory of the RoC is under occupation by turkish forces . The occupation allows and encourages the destruction of the Greek and Christian cultural heritage by eradicating anything that relates to the Greeks or other Christians in the occupied territories — replacement of the Greek placenames , neglect of invaluable cultural and religious monuments , encouragement of illicit antiquities trade , looting , destruction and in many cases demolition of religious and other monuments . Also mainland Turks were transferred to the occupied area in order to change the demographic structure of the island .
The policy of ethnic cleansing and the general Turkification that Turkey aspires for in the occupied territory , is aimed at the partition of Cyprus and the creation of two separate and ethnically homogeneous states . In 1983 , they illegally proclaimed a " state " which was condemned by the U . N . Security Council ( Resolutions 541 and 550 ).
After 1974 , nine displaced Municipalities have regrouped in the free areas of the RoC , have organized and operate in a different manner , informing about the tragic consequences of the occupation , strengthening the common consciousness through various activities , caring for preserving the memory but also of the cultural heritage of the occupied cities and villages , etc . These 9 Municipalities are temporarily housed in Town Halls in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus .
www . ucm . org . cy / en / the-union / occupied-municipalities
COMMITTEE OF CYPRUS OCCUPIED MUNICIPALITIES FOR THE 2017 – 2021 MUNICIPAL MANDATE
PRESIDENT ( from 12.9.2019 ): Dr . Petros Kareklas Mayor of Kythrea