Declaration of Independence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Encyclopedia
Eight years after the Turkish Federative State of North Cyprus was proclaimed (in 1975), the UDI of North Cyprus was presented to the Northern Cypriot Parliament in North Nicosia by Turkish Cypriot Leader/Northern Cypriot State President Rauf Denktaş
on November 15, 1983. Containing text espousing human rights and a desire to live side-by-side with the Greek Cypriot population, it ended with a declaration that Northern Cyprus was an independent and sovereign
state, naming the entity the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
. The Turkish Cypriot Parliament passed a unanimous resolution later that day ratifying the declaration.
issued two resolutions (541
and 550
) proclaiming that the Turkish Cypriot UDI was illegal and requesting that no other sovereign state should recognize the legality of the declaration and asked for its withdrawal.
In 22 July 2010, United Nations' International Court of Justice decided (in relation to Kosovo
) that "International law contains no prohibition on declarations of independence"; see Political status of Kosovo.
Every year with each new resolution the UN Security Council reaffirms its previous resolutions. To date, only Turkey
has given formal recognition, though the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation recognizes the TRNC as a constituent state
of the Republic of Cyprus
. (Note: The parliament
of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic
, which is a self-governing exclave of Azerbaijan
, has issued a resolution recognizing the TRNC as a sovereign nation, but this recognition is not shared by Azerbaijan's central government
and is not regarded as official by the world at large).
Rauf Denktas
Rauf Raif Denktaş is the founder and the first president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus , a de facto state which is only recognized by Turkey...
on November 15, 1983. Containing text espousing human rights and a desire to live side-by-side with the Greek Cypriot population, it ended with a declaration that Northern Cyprus was an independent and sovereign
Sovereignty
Sovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory. It can be found in a power to rule and make law that rests on a political fact for which no purely legal explanation can be provided...
state, naming the entity the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Northern Cyprus or North Cyprus , officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus , is a self-declared state that comprises the northeastern part of the island of Cyprus...
. The Turkish Cypriot Parliament passed a unanimous resolution later that day ratifying the declaration.
International reaction
The United Nations Security CouncilUnited Nations Security Council
The United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of...
issued two resolutions (541
United Nations Security Council Resolution 541
United Nations Security Council Resolution 541, adopted on November 18, 1983, after reaffirming Resolution 365 and Resolution 367 , the Council condemned Northern Cyprus' decision to declare independence....
and 550
United Nations Security Council Resolution 550
United Nations Security Council Resolution 550, adopted on May 11, 1984, after hearing representations from the Republic of Cyprus and reaffirming resolutions 365 , 367 , 541 and Resolution 544 , the Council condemned the illegal secessionist activities in the Northern part of Cyprus from Turkey,...
) proclaiming that the Turkish Cypriot UDI was illegal and requesting that no other sovereign state should recognize the legality of the declaration and asked for its withdrawal.
In 22 July 2010, United Nations' International Court of Justice decided (in relation to Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
) that "International law contains no prohibition on declarations of independence"; see Political status of Kosovo.
Every year with each new resolution the UN Security Council reaffirms its previous resolutions. To date, only Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
has given formal recognition, though the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation recognizes the TRNC as a constituent state
Constituent state
A constituent state, constituent entity, or constituent part, is a territorial and constitutional entity forming part of a sovereign state...
of the Republic of Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
. (Note: The parliament
Parliament
A parliament is a legislature, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system modeled after that of the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the French , the action of parler : a parlement is a discussion. The term came to mean a meeting at which...
of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic
Nakhichevan
The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is a landlocked exclave of Azerbaijan. The region covers 5,363 km² and borders Armenia to the east and north, Iran to the south and west, and Turkey to the northwest...
, which is a self-governing exclave of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
, has issued a resolution recognizing the TRNC as a sovereign nation, but this recognition is not shared by Azerbaijan's central government
Foreign relations of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is a member of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, NATO's Partnership for Peace, Euro-Atlantic Partnership; World Health Organization, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; the Council of Europe, CFE Treaty, the Community of...
and is not regarded as official by the world at large).