A register of property owned in the north by British Cypriot is being compiled, the Federation of Cypriots of the United Kingdom announced on Sunday.<\/p>\n
This initiative aims to clarify the number of British citizens of Cypriot origin who lost their properties after the 1974 Turkish invasion.<\/p>\n
The ultimate goal is to put pressure on the British government and British MPs to take action.<\/p>\n
The losses suffered by Greek Cypriots during the invasion remain enormous, the federation said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn UK terms, [the occupation in Cyprus] would be equivalent to occupying Scotland and displacing its entire population as well as the population of Wales, Northern Ireland and London combined,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n
\u201cToo many Cypriots passed away without ever being able to return to their homes. We cannot let this tragedy continue,\u201d the federation said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was not just houses that were taken from us, it was everything that connected us with our families, our friends and our communities,\u201d members from Rizokarpasso said.<\/p>\n
President of the federation Christos Karolis told the Cyprus News Agency it was important to preserve historical memory and connect the younger generations with their occupied ancestral homes.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we pass from generation to generation, it becomes increasingly important not to forget our roots. We want to build this registry now, before it\u2019s too late, to document the injustice suffered by our families,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n