In a message, the President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr. Glafcos Clerides to the United Nations Secretary-General Mr. Kofi Annan on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, paid tribute to the crucial work that the United Nations carries out for more than half a century in the promotion and advancement of the fundamental principles of human rights around the globe.
The Government and people of Cyprus, stated President Clerides, joined with the Secretary-General and the entire international community in the celebrations of this historic anniversary for humankind.
President Clerides reminded that the Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of the people of Cyprus as a result of the Turkish invasion and continuing military occupation of Cyprus have been flagrantly violated for a quarter of a century. He further reminded of the continued human rights violations in Cyprus, in particular, of the refugees, the enclave, the missing persons and of the forcible division of the country.
President Clerides assured the Secretary-General that Cyprus attaches the highest importance and is committed to the promotion and advancement of human rights and to their universal application.