Until Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 Greek Orthodox Cypriots had access to the many Christian religious sites in the northern part of the island. Many of them, apparently. However, after the invasion, when Cyprus was split between the Turkish Muslim north and the predominately Greek Orthodox Christian south, the Turks have made it almost impossible for the remaining 500 Greek Cypriots left living in the north to worship. So they are finally suing Turkey to regain those rights. Taking it before the European court of Human Rights

The lawsuit concerns 520 churches, monasteries, chapels and cemeteries under Turkish control since Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974, said Simos Angelides. The north’s Greek Cypriot community cannot worship at these sites because they are either derelict or have been converted into mosques, army barracks, stables or nightclubs, he added. I find it very interesting that we never hear much about the invasion and occupation of Cyprus by Turkey, when the world, especially the Muslim world, complains bitterly about the invasion and occupation of Palestine by the Israelis. The situations are similar in many ways, but is very indicative of the typical double standards. It’s okay for me to invade but not for you. After the invasion,

International pressure led to a ceasefire and at that point 37% of the land fell within the Turkish occupation zone, 180,000 Greek Cypriots were evicted from their homes in the north. At the same time around 50,000 Turkish Cypriots moved to the areas under the control of the Turkish Forces and settled in the properties of the displaced Greek Cypriots. In 1983 Turkish Cypriots unilaterally proclaimed independence, which was only recognized by Turkey. As of today, there are 1,534 Greek Cypriots and 502 Turkish Cypriots missing as a result of the fighting. The events of the summer of 1974 dominate the politics on the island, as well as Greco-Turkish relations. Around 150,000 settlers from Turkey are believed to be living in the north in violation of the Geneva Convention and various UN resolutions.

Although Cyprus is making an attempt at reunification, the lawsuit should not affect the peace process. Hopefully they’ll have a better chance of peacefully coexisting than the Israelis and Palestinians, but it starts by allowing people to worship as they please. Muslims need to afford people, of other religions, the same rights to worship as they expect and demand for themselves.