Condemns Turkey's illegal occupation of Cyprus, urging the withdrawal of troops and adherence to international laws, while advocating for a resolution that reunifies Cyprus as a bizonal, bicommunal federation. Calls upon President Trump to prioritize resolving the Cyprus problem and for Turkey to account for missing American citizens.
Nicole Malliotakis
Representative
NY-11
This bill condemns Turkey's ongoing occupation of Cyprus, citing violations of international law, human rights, and UN resolutions. It calls for the withdrawal of Turkish troops, adherence to democratic principles, and a resolution based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation. The bill urges Turkey to cease interference in Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone, assist in locating missing American citizens, and remove illegal settlers from occupied territories. Finally, it encourages the President to prioritize resolving the Cyprus issue.
Cyprus Bill Demands Turkish Troop Withdrawal, Compensation for Lost Property
This bill throws down the gauntlet on Turkey's long-standing occupation of Northern Cyprus, demanding a full withdrawal of their 35,000 troops and calling out decades of alleged human rights abuses and international law violations.
Turkey On the Hot Seat
The core of the bill is a sharp condemnation of Turkey's actions in Cyprus since the 1974 invasion. It demands an immediate end to the military presence and calls for Turkey to finally adhere to democratic principles befitting a NATO member. The bill specifically reaffirms the United States' support for a "bizonal, bicommunal federation" in Cyprus. This means a single, unified Cyprus with two distinct zones for Greek and Turkish Cypriots, governed under a federal system, and adhering to democratic principles, European Union standards, United Nations resolutions, and European Court of Human Rights decisions.
Real-World Impact: Refugees, Property, and Missing Persons
Beyond the political posturing, this bill directly addresses the human cost of the conflict. It demands Turkey's cooperation in locating and identifying the remains of missing persons from the 1974 invasion, including four American citizens. For regular folks, this means potential closure for families who have waited decades for answers. The bill also pushes for a mechanism allowing American citizens to seek compensation for property losses in the Turkish-occupied areas. Think of someone whose family home or business was seized – this bill wants to give them a path to potentially reclaim their assets or receive fair payment.
Furthermore, the bill calls for the removal of over 200,000 "illegal Turkish settlers" from the occupied territory and assistance in repatriating Greek-Cypriot refugees. The bill is essentially calling for a reversal of the demographic changes that occurred after the invasion, allowing those displaced to return to their homes.
Challenges and Existing Laws
This bill isn't operating in a vacuum. It directly references Turkey's non-compliance with judgments from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and its violations of Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which is the area where a country has rights to explore and use marine resources. The bill also highlights the conflict between Turkish President Erdogan's call for a "two-state solution" and the internationally supported, including by the United States, bizonal, bicommunal federation. The practical challenge lies in enforcement and the complex geopolitical realities of the region. Getting Turkey to comply with these demands, given its long-standing position, is a significant hurdle.