Turkey submits formal objection to UN regarding European Parliament resolution on 1974 crimes

Turkey has submitted a letter to the United Nations on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot representative, Murat Soysal, formally rejecting a European Parliament resolution from July 8. The resolution addressed crimes committed against Cypriot women and girls during the 1974 Turkish military intervention. Soysal characterized the allegations against Turkish armed forces as baseless and unreasonable. Additionally, the letter refutes claims made by Cyprus's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Maria Michael, regarding conflict-related sexual violence. The document argues that the 1974 intervention was lawful under the Treaty of Guarantee and claims it brought peace and security to the island. Conversely, it asserts that Turkish Cypriots suffered human rights violations, including sexual violence, between 1963 and 1974. Finally, the letter accuses the European Union of lacking impartiality and reiterates the demand for an agreement between two sovereign equal sides with equal international status.