Early day motion tabled by primary sponsor Alan Meale (Labour), on Thursday, 16 June 1994, in the House of Commons. It is signed by 50 members in total.

---

VISIT OF MORPHOU COUNCILLORS

That this House welcomes to the United Kingdom the Mayor of Morphou and his delegation of councillors from the Morphou area who represent over 60,000 people who, 20 years ago, were made refugees in their own country; recognises, with regret, the fact that this year marks the twentieth anniversary of the invasion of Cyprus by Turkish forces since when 37 per cent. of the island has been under Turkish occupation; strongly condemns the continuing indiscriminate desecration and destruction of Greek Cypriot objects, sites and structures of cultural and religious heritage as confirmed in the Turkish Cypriot KIBRIS newspaper, 1st May 1994, in a report which also revealed the recent plundering of the 13th Century St Mamas Church in Morphou and the looting of the historic icon therein; condemns the intransigence of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash, and the lack of political will by Turkey which has resulted in the current impasse in the Secretary-General's attempts to promote a fair and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem; urges engagement in negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations in the substance of the problem discussed with the view to finding a viable and permanent settlement that will see all Cypriots granted the freedom of movement and the right to settle, live and work wherever they may so wish and will allow the displaced people of Morphou, Famagusta and all other occupied areas free to return to the homes and property that is legally and rightfully theirs; and advocates the acceptance of Cyprus as a full member of the European Union, a step which would accelerate a solution to the Cyprus problem and effectively guarantee the security of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots and will ensure the prospects of progress and prosperity of all the citizens of the Republic of Cyprus.

Amendments

The Early day motion has received an amendment.

VISIT OF MORPHOU COUNCILLORS (1337A1)

The Early day motion has received an amendment sponsored by Keith Speed (primary, Conservative) and tabled on Tuesday, 12 July 1994. It has been signed by 20 members in total.

leave out from `House' to end and add `would welcome a visit from the real Mayor of Guzelyurt (Morphou in Greek) and a delegation of councillors representing the Turkish Cypriot inhabitants of that town, most of whom fled there from their homes in the south of Cyprus as refugees from 11 years of Greek Cypriot persecution, which culminated in the attempt in 1974 by Greek Cypriots and mainland Greeks to destroy the constitution, murder the remaining Turkish Cypriots, and annex the island to Greece in flagrant violation of international law; would further welcome a report from the Mayor on the excellent work which the Government of Northern Cyprus does to preserve the cultural and religious heritage of both faiths despite the continuing efforts of the Greek Cypriots to deny them international expert assistance and to ruin their economy, and despite the appropriation by the Greek Cypriots for themselves in Southern Cyprus of almost all the international aid given to the island; and would welcome a report on the desecration of the Muslim cultural heritage committed by the Greek Cypriots.'.

---

Secondary information

Type

Early day motion

Reference

1337 

1337A1 

Session

1993-94

Subjects

Cyprus Human rights Turkey Official visits

Link

View this Early day motion on www.parliament.uk