The European Court of Human Rights has awarded 90 million euros in damages, to be paid by Turkey, to Greek Cypriots who suffered losses during the 1974 Turkish military intervention, ‘BBC News’ reports.
In one of the largest orders for compensation ever made by the court, the damages were awarded to compensate the relatives of persons who went missing during the action in 1974 (30 million euros) and a further 60 million euros to Greek Cypriots who continue to live in the Karpas Peninsula in North Cyprus.
UN peacekeeping forces estimate that 165,000 Greek Cypriots fled or were expelled from the north, and 45,000 Turkish Cypriots from the south, although those who were involved with the war say the numbers are higher.
The island has been divided since 1975 when Turkey landed its forces on Cyprus in a rescue mission in answer to a military coup on the island which was backed by mainland Greece.
The European Court of Human Rights found that Turkey was still liable for damages, despite the passage of time, however the report says that Turkey has not always complied with past rulings of the ECtHR.
Turkey continues to keep 30,000 troops stationed on the island, and it is the only country that recognises the North as a separate entity.
Currently the Greek and Turkish Cypriots are engaged in a new round of talks aimed at reunification of the island.
