I rise as a member of the Committee on International Relations and as a member of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus to join in the commemoration of that unhappy anniversary and tragic circumstances of 23 years. over two decades. of the division of the island of Cyprus. It seems incredible. but for 23 years now the Republic of Cyprus has been artificially divided following an illegal invasion by Turkish troops on July 20. 1974. On that date over 200.000 Greek Cypriots became refugees in their own country and to this day are denied the right to return to their homes. Today a full 37 percent of the island remains under occupation by Turkish troops. which in defiance of U.N. resolutions. now number over 35.000. This makes Cyprus one of the most militarized places in the world.
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refugees