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E TURN
T T O R
E RIGH STA
TH FAM
TO
A G U
Forbidden - But not

Forgotten
FORBIDDEN NOT FORGOTTEN
FAMAGUSTA
THE RIGHT OF RETURN
The calls and support for the return of the Turkish occupied town
of Famagusta in Cyprus to its lawful inhabitants on the basis of
UN Security Council Resolutions continue on several fronts with
renewed vigor.
The United Nations, as reaffirmed in all Reports of the UN Secretary-General on the
UN operations in Cyprus, holds the Turkish military and the Government of Turkey
responsible for the continuation of the illegal and unacceptable status quo in the
fenced area of Famagusta (Varosha). In Resolution 550 (1984), the Security Council
declared that attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its lawful
inhabitants are inadmissible and therefore called for the transfer of this area to the
administration of the UN.
Despite repeated calls by the UN and other international fora, the Turkish occupation
army and successive Governments of Turkey have steadfastly refused to return the
town to its lawful inhabitants.
PROPOSAL BY THE PRESIDENT CALLS BY THE
OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
A balanced proposal for the return and The European Parliament (EP) has repeatedly
resettlement of Famagusta, which has been voiced its support for the return of Famagusta to
under illegal occupation since the 1974 military its lawful inhabitants. Two recent actions by the EP
invasion of Cyprus by Turkey, was put forward in reflect clearly its position.
2010 by the President of the Republic of Cyprus,
In February 2012, the EP adopted a Declaration,
Mr. Demetris Christofias. The proposal aims to
calling on the Government of Turkey to act
benefit both the Greek Cypriots and Turkish
according to the United Nations Security Council
Cypriots and give a boost to the negotiations for
Resolutions 550(1984) and 789(1992), and the
a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus Problem,
Recommendations of the 2008 Report of the
by strengthening the cooperation between the
Committee on Petitions of the EP on Petition
two communities and subscribing to the
733/2004 and return the sealed-off section of
prospect of reunification.
Famagusta to “its lawful inhabitants, who must
According to the President’s Famagusta Proposal, resettle under conditions of security and peace.”
which still remains on the table, Turkey is called
More recently, in its Resolution of 29 March 2012
upon to implement United Nations Security
on the Progress Report on Turkey (2011/2889 (RSP))
Council Resolution 550 (1984) for the return
the EP “calls on the Government of Turkey to begin
of the fenced, sealed-off area to the south of
withdrawing its forces form Cyprus and to transfer
Famagusta, widely known as Varosha, under
Famagusta to the United Nations in accordance
United Nations control in order to create the
with Resolution 550 (1984) of the United Nations
conditions for the return of the displaced lawful
Security Council”.
inhabitants to their hometown.
The resettlement of Varosha, on the basis of the UN
In addition, the Proposal provides for the
Security Council Resolutions, will most certainly
restoration of the medieval town of Famagusta
have a positive spill-over effect for a comprehensive,
and the opening of the Port of Famagusta under
viable solution to the Cyprus Problem as it would
European Union (EU) supervision.
create a tangible example of cooperation and
co-existence between Greek Cypriots and Turkish
Cypriots on the island and serve as a symbol of
future harmony and prosperity.
Map showing the 1974 UN ceasefire line across the Republic of Cyprus.
It also shows the area of the Republic under military occupation by Turkey since 1974.
BUFFER ZONE
FAMAGUSTA SEALED-OFF SECTION (VAROSHA)
DEMARCATION LINE
U.K. SOVEREIGN BASE LINE
XXX MINEFIELDS
FAMAGUSTA: FORBIDDEN – NOT FORGOTTEN
“The asphalt on the roads has cracked in the
warm sun and along the sidewalks bushes are
growing. Today – September 1977 – the breakfast
tables are still set, the laundry still hanging and
the lamps still burning.
Varosha is a ghost town.”
Journalist Jan-Olof Bengtsson,
in the Swedish newspaper “Kvallsposten”
(24 September 1977)
The city of Famagusta is located on the eastern “The situation in the beach area of Varosha is
coast of Cyprus. Since the 1974 military invasion of worse. After its mostly Greek Cypriot inhabitants
the island by Turkey, the area to the south of the fled in 1974, more than 100 hotels and 5,000
city, Varosha, has been turned into a ghost town houses as well as businesses, public buildings,
due to the fact that it has been sealed off and restaurants, museums and schools have been
closed by the Turkish occupying army which, to this
abandoned and watched over by the Turkish
day, still maintains a garrison there.
army. Despite two Security Council resolutions –
During the second phase of the military invasion 550 (1984) and 789 (1992) – Turkey has refused
of Cyprus by Turkey on 14 August 1974, the Turkish to transfer the administration of this area to
air force bombarded Famagusta and subsequently the United Nations, but continues to sit there
the Turkish army entered the town. As a result, its like a dog in the manger.”
37,000 Greek Cypriot inhabitants were forced to
flee from the city in an effort to find a safe haven. Robert Ellis, commentator on Turkish affairs in
Overall, the Turkish military invasion and occupation the Danish and international press, in his article
in 1974 led to the forcible displacement of more “Famagusta: A forgotten city”
(“New Europe,” 22 May 2011)
than 180,000 Greek Cypriots thus causing a major
humanitarian crisis and a flagrant violation of
human rights. Turkey continues to illegally occupy
through its military forces, over 36,2% of the sover-
eign territory of the Republic of Cyprus and denies
the right of return to the forcibly displaced Cypriots. Varosha, the once thriving sector of the economy of
Famagusta and prime property site, is surrounded
Famagusta was, until 1974, a significant contributor
to the north, south and west by land and to the
to the economy of Cyprus, exceeding by far its
east by sea. Its beaches and seafront area made
proportional contribution to the island’s national
it a magnet for tourism. It is also close to what is
income. Apart from possessing over 50% of the
known since 1974 as the “UN Buffer Zone”, a zone
island’s total holiday accommodation capacity,
which runs along the ceasefire line separating the
Famagusta was also the main port in terms of
Turkish occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus,
goods and passengers mobility, a determining
from the government controlled area of the
factor for the town’ s development. In 1973, exports
Republic of Cyprus. Since 1974, Varosha’s refugees
from the Port of Famagusta represented more
await for the return to their homes and properties.
than 42% of the island’s total exports. In other
Barbed wire, concrete barricades and military
words, prior to 1974, Famagusta used to be the
warning signs erected by the Turkish occupation
leading tourist destination on the island and the
army surround Varosha, persistent in keeping
most prosperous city.
everyone out of the fenced off area.
United
Nations
Resolution 550 (1984)

Adopted by the Security Council on 11 May 1984
The Security Council,
Having considered the situation in Cyprus at the request of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus,
Having heard the statement made by the President of the Republic of Cyprus,
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General (S/16519),
Recalling its resolutions 365(1974), 367(1975), 541(1983) and 544(1983),
Deeply regretting the non-implementation of its resolutions, in particular resolution 541(1983),
Gravely concerned about the further secessionist acts in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus which
are in violation of resolution 541(1983), namely the purported "exchange of ambassadors" between Turkey
and the legally invalid "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" and the contemplated holding of a
"constitutional referendum" and "elections", as well as by other actions or threats of actions aimed at further
consolidating the purported independent state and the division of Cyprus,
Deeply concerned about recent threats for settlement of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants,
Reaffirming its continuing support for the United Nations Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus,
1. Reaffirms its resolution 541(1983) and calls for its urgent and effective implementation;
2. Condemns all secessionist actions, including the purported exchange of ambassadors between Turkey
and the Turkish Cypriot leadership, declares them illegal and invalid and calls for their immediate
withdrawal;
3. Reiterates the call upon all States not to recognise the purported state of the "Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus" set up by secessionist acts and calls upon them not to facilitate or in any way assist the
aforesaid secessionist entity;
4. Calls upon all States to respect the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, unity and non-align-
ment of the Republic of Cyprus;
5. Considers attempts to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its inhabitants as
inadmissible and calls for the transfer of that area to the administration of the United Nations;
6. Considers any attempts to interfere with the status or the deployment of the United Nations Peace-
Keeping Force in Cyprus as contrary to the resolutions of the United Nations;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to promote the urgent implementation of Security Council resolution
541(1983);
8. Reaffirms its mandate of good offices given to the Secretary General and requests him to undertake new
efforts to attain an overall solution to the Cyprus problem in conformity with the principles of the
Charter of the United Nations and the provisions for such a settlement laid down in the pertinent United
Nations resolutions, including resolution 541(1983) and the present resolution;
9. Calls upon all parties to cooperate with the Secretary-General in his mission of good offices;
10. Decides to remain seized of the situation with a view to taking urgent and appropriate measures in the
event of non-implementation of its resolution 541(1983) and the present resolution;
11. Requests the Secretary-General to promote the implementation of the present resolution and to report
thereon to the Security Council as developments require.
“From the fence, which obstructs the stroller from gaining access to
the Varosha shoreline, the sea-front hotels, apartment blocks and
restaurants are no more than decaying concrete skeletons – massive
urban gravestones standing resolutely against the march of time. The
memories and the souls of the former occupants, many of whom were
met by members of the delegation, still inhabit those walls.”
Report of the Committee on Petitions of the European Parliament on the
Fact Finding Visit to Cyprus – 25 to 28 November 2007 concerning petition 733/2004
The international community, individually and collectively, should continue to call

on and exert its influence on the Turkish government to implement the UN Security
Council Resolutions and transfer Famagusta to the United Nations so that its lawful
inhabitants can return to their homes and properties.
Declaration of the European Parliament of
14 February 2012 on the return of the sealed-off
section of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants
The European Parliament ,
– recalling its 1993 resolution on Cyprus,
– recalling its 2009 resolution on Turkey's progress report,
– having regard to Rule 123 of its Rules of

Procedure,
A. whereas the city of Famagusta in the

Republic of Cyprus was captured by the
invading Turkish forces in August 1974,
B. whereas a section of Famagusta was then sealed off and remains

uninhabited, under the direct control of the Turkish military,
C. whereas the return of the Famagusta sealed-off section to its

lawful inhabitants would facilitate efforts toward a comprehensive
settlement of the Cyprus problem,
D. noting the 1979 High Level Agreement and UNSC Resolutions

550(1984) and 789(1992),
E. noting the 2008 Report of the Committee on Petitions on Petition

733/2004,
1. Calls on the Government of Turkey to act

according to the aforementioned UNSC
Resolutions and Report Recommendations and return the
Famagusta sealed-off section to its lawful inhabitants, who
must resettle under conditions of security and peace;
2. Urges the EU institutions to coordinate their efforts with Parliament

to promote Turkey's cooperation;
3. Instructs its President to forward this

declaration, with the names of the signatories (1), to the P.I.O. 203/2012 -20.000 (English)
Commission, the Council, the governments of the Member
States, the UN Secretary General and the Government of Turkey. Published by the Press
and Information Office,
Republic of Cyprus
www.moi.gov.cy/pio
(1) The list of signatories is published in Annex 1 to the Minutes of
14 February 2012 (P7_PV-PROV(2012)02-14(ANN1)). Printed by Zavallis Litho

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E TURN

Forbidden - But not

Resolution 550 (1984)

The international community, individually and collectively, should continue to call

The European Parliament ,

– recalling its 1993 resolution on Cyprus,

– recalling its 2009 resolution on Turkey's progress report,

– having regard to Rule 123 of its Rules of

A. whereas the city of Famagusta in the

B. whereas a section of Famagusta was then sealed oﬀ and remains

C. whereas the return of the Famagusta sealed-oﬀ section to its

D. noting the 1979 High Level Agreement and UNSC Resolutions

E. noting the 2008 Report of the Committee on Petitions on Petition

1. Calls on the Government of Turkey to act

2. Urges the EU institutions to coordinate their eﬀorts with Parliament

3. Instructs its President to forward this

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