K MAVRIDIS - ''THE DESECRATION OF SACRED SITES IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES CONTINUES'' - HE INFORMED THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION ABOUT 'JIHADISST BEHAVIOUR' - Filenews 22/4
The serious allegations concerning repeated incidents of desecration of holy sites and cemeteries in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus, are reiterated in a written intervention to the European Commission, by MEP Costas Mavrides (DIKO – S&D).
Specifically, in his recent intervention, Mr. Mavridis states that, "according to complaints contained in publications, destruction of graves and religious symbols, as well as incidents of arbitrary exhumation of bones, are recorded. At the same time, according to the same complaints, burials of foreign persons who lived illegally in the occupied territories are taking place, in areas of the Cemetery of occupied Kyrenia, where graves pre-existed, which raises serious issues of respect and looting of burial sites."
Continuing, the Cypriot MEP informs the Eur. Committee about incidents of desecration of religious monuments, such as the removal of symbols from historic churches and in particular the removal of the cross from churches, with the latest case being the bell tower of the historic church of Archangel Michael in occupied Kyrenia. As he emphasizes, "the above constitute a destruction of the European cultural and religious heritage that resembles the behaviours of jihadists, but take place in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus and constitute a blatant violation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights."
Finally, Mr. Mavridis asks the European Commission to answer whether it is aware of these complaints and what specific actions it intends to take to repair the damage, as well as to ensure respect for cemeteries and prevent similar incidents in the future.
