The United Nations recognises the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus over the entire island of Cyprus.
Turkey formally attempted to partition Cyprus by creating and recognising a secessionist political entity in occupied Cyprus. This entity has been declared illegal and its actions null and void by the international community. It has been condemned by UN resolutions such 541 of 18 November 1983 and 550 of 11 May 1984.
In the case of Cyprus, human rights have been downgraded in the name of political expediency. Turkey has not been subjected to pressure to comply with its obligations under the numerous international conventions it is signatory to.
UN General Assembly
• Resolution 37/253 (1983)
Sub-Commission on prevention of discrimination and protection of minorities
• Resolution 1987/50
Resolution 541 (1983)
Adopted by the Security Council on 18 November 1983
The Security Council,
Having heard the statement of the Foreign Minister of the Government of the
Republic of Cyprus,
Concerned at the declaration by the Turkish Cypriot authorities issued on 15
November 1983 which purports to create an independent state in northern Cyprus,
Considering that this declaration is incompatible with the 1960 Treaty concerning the
establishment of the Republic of Cyprus and the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee,
Considering, therefore, that the attempt to create a “Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus”, is invalid, and will contribute to a worsening of the situation in Cyprus,
Reaffirming its resolutions 365(1974) and 367(1975),
Aware of the need for a solution of the Cyprus problem, based on the mission of good
offices undertaken by the Secretary-General,
Affirming its continuing support for the United Nations Peace-Keeping Force in
Taking note of the Secretary-General’s statement of 17 November 1983,
1. Deplores the declaration of the Turkish Cypriot authorities of the purported
secession of part of the Republic of Cyprus;
2. Considers the declaration referred to above as legally invalid and calls for its
3. Calls for the urgent and effective implementation of its resolutions 365(1974) and
4. Requests the Secretary-General to pursue his mission of good offices, in order to
achieve the earliest possible progress towards a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus;
5. Calls upon the parties to co-operate fully with the Secretary-General in his mission
of good offices;
6. Calls upon all States to respect the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity
and non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus;
7. Calls upon all States not to recognise any Cypriot state other than the Republic of
8. Calls upon all States and the two communities in Cyprus to refrain from any action
which might exacerbate the situation;
9. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Security Council fully informed.
Adopted at the 2500th meeting by 13 votes to 1 against (Pakistan), with 1 abstention
Resolution 550 (1984)
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 on 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-alignment 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 this 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 co-operate 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 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.
Adopted at the 2539th meeting by 13 votes to 1 (Pakistan) with 1 abstention (United States of America).
UN General Assembly Resolution 37/253 (1983)
UN General Assembly Resolution 37/253 (1983) The UN General Assembly adopted on May 13, 1983, resolution 37/253 on Cyprus. The vote on the resolution was 103 in favour and 5 against with 20 abstentions. The votes against the resolution were cast by Bangladesh, Malaysia, Pakistan, Somalia and Turkey.
Following is the text of the resolution:
The General Assembly,
Having considered the question of Cyprus,
Recalling its resolution 3212(XXIX) of 1 November 1974 and its subsequent resolutions on the question of Cyprus,
Recalling the high-level agreements of 12 February 1977 and 19 May 1979,
Reaffirming the principle of the inadmissibility of occupation and acquisition of territories by force,
Greatly concerned at the prolongation of the Cyprus crisis, which poses a serious threat to international peace and security,
Deeply regretting that the resolutions of the United Nations on Cyprus have not yet been implemented,
Recalling the idea of holding an international conference on Cyprus,
Deploring the fact that part of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus is still occupied by foreign forces,
Deploring the lack of progress in the intercommunal talks,
Deploring all unilateral actions that change the demographic structure of Cyprus or promote faits accomplis,
Reaffirming the need to settle the question of Cyprus without further delay by peaceful means in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant United Nations resolutions,
1. Reiterates its full support for the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, unity and non-alignment of the Republic of Cyprus and calls once again for the cessation of all foreign interference in its affairs;
2. Affirms the right of the Republic of Cyprus and its people to full and effective sovereignty and control over the entire territory of Cyprus and its natural and other resources and calls upon all states to support and help the Government of the Republic of Cyprus to exercise these rights;
3. Condemns any act which tends to undermine the full and effective exercise of the above-mentioned rights, including the unlawful issue of titles of ownership of property;
4. Welcomes the proposal for total demilitarisation made by the President of the Republic of Cyprus;
5. Expresses its support for the high-level agreements of 12 February 1977 and 19 May 1979 and all the provisions thereof;
6. Demands the immediate and effective implementation of resolution 3212(XXIX), unanimously adopted by the General Assembly and endorsed by the Security Council in its resolution 365(1974) of 13 December (1974), and of the subsequent resolutions of the Assembly and the Council on Cyprus, which provide the valid and essential basis for the solution of the problem of Cyprus;
7. Considers the withdrawal of all occupation forces from the Republic of Cyprus as an essential basis for a speedy and mutually acceptable solution of the Cyprus problem;
8. Demands the immediate withdrawal of all occupation forces from the Republic of Cyprus;
9. Commends the intensification of the efforts made by the Secretary-General, while noting with concern the lack of progress in the intercommunal talks;
10. Calls for meaningful, result-oriented, constructive and substantive negotiations between the representatives of the two communities under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General, to be conducted freely and on an equal footing on the basis of relevant United Nations resolutions and the highlevel agreements, with a view to reaching as early as possible a mutually acceptable agreement based on the fundamental and legitimate rights of the two communities;
11. Calls for respect of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots, including the freedom of movement, the freedom of settlement and the right to property, and the instituting of urgent measures for the voluntary return of the refugees to their homes in safety;
12. Considers that the de facto situation created by the force of arms should not be allowed to influence or in any way affect the solution of the problem of Cyprus;
13. Calls upon the parties concerned to refrain from any unilateral action which might adversely affect the prospects of a just and lasting solution of the problem of Cyprus by peaceful means and to co-operate fully with the Secretary-General in the performance of his task under the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council as well as with the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus;
14. Calls upon the parties concerned to refrain from any action which violates or is designed to violate the independence, unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus;
15. Reiterates its recommendation that the Security Council should examine the question of the implementation, within a specified time-frame, of its relevant resolutions and consider and adopt thereafter, if necessary, all appropriate and practical measures under the Charter of the United Nations for ensuring the speedy and effective implementation of the resolutions of the United Nations on Cyprus;
16. Welcomes the intention of the Secretary-General, as expressed in his report (Doc. A/37/805 of 6/5/1983), to pursue a renewed personal involvement in the quest for a solution of the problem of Cyprus and, in view of this, requests the Secretary-General to undertake such actions or initiatives as he may consider appropriate within the framework of the mission of good offices entrusted to him by the Security Council for promoting a just and lasting solution of the problem and to report to the General Assembly at its thirtyeighth session on the results of his efforts;
17. Decides to include the provisional agenda of its thirty-eighth session the item entitled “Question of Cyprus” and requests the Secretary-General to follow up the implementation of the present resolution and to report on all its aspects to the General Assembly at that session.
Separate vote on paragraph 8 A separate vote was taken on operative paragraph 8, which was approved by 89 votes in favour, 5 against and 27 abstentions.
Separate vote on paragraph 15 A separate vote was also taken on operative paragraph 15 which was approved 86 votes in favour, 8 against and 25 abstentions.
Resolution of the Sub-Commission on prevention of discrimination and protection of minorities 1987/50
Adopted on 2nd September 1987
1987/19 Violations of human rights in Cyprus
The Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities.
Gravely concerned about the continuation of gross and systematic violations of human rights in Cyprus,
Recalling its resolutions 1 (XXVIII) and 8(XXXI) relating to the return of the refugees and displaced persons to their homes in safety and the full restoration of human rights in Cyprus, respectively, and regretting the delay in the implementation of these resolutions,
Recognizing that the Secretary-General is seized with the question of resolving the Cyprus problem,
Disturbed by the lack of any success of the Ad Hoc Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus, after so many years of deliberations, to discover the fate of the missing persons in Cyprus,
Expressing its concern about the anguish and sorrow of the families of the missing persons of Cyprus, who have the right to know the fate of their relatives.
Further disturbed by the statement made during the consideration of this item at the present session concerning the implantation of thousands of settlers from Turkey in the occupied territories in Cyprus,
Considering that the withdrawal of all foreign armed forces from the Republic of Cyprus will contribute to the restoration of human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots,
1. Demands the full restoration of all human rights to the whole population of Cyprus, including the freedom of movement, the freedom of settlement and the right to property;
2. Expresses its great concern and anguish about the fate of the missing persons;
3. Expresses its concern also at the policy and practice of the implantation of settlers in the occupied territories of Cyprus which constitute a form of colonialism and attempt to change illegally the demographic structure of Cyprus;
4. Decides that the question of human rights in Cyprus should be considered in the context of item 4 of the agenda for its fortieth session.
Adopted at its 35th session by 16 votes to none with 3 abstentions.