“Turks Only” beach opened near Ghost Town Varosha in Cyprus

A beach near the closed-off town of Varosha in Famagusta, Cyprus’ number one tourist destination before being shut down after an unlawful 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation, will be opened – only to Turks and Turkish-Cypriots.

The opening was reported by the Turkish-Cypriot newspaper Yeni Duzen which said access would be restricted to Turkish-Cypriots and Turkish nationals showing identification. Greek Cypriots and foreign nationals will not be allowed to enter, the paper said.

The action was taken by Turkish security forces who the paper said had signed a “protocol” with the “Famagusta municipality” at the once-teeming site. The beach will be open from May 15-Oct. 29, the paper said.

The bicommunal group #UniteCyprusNow, which back reunifying the island, sharply criticized the move as divisive and as Turkey stepped up provocations following the collapse of unity negotiations at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana in July.

“The recent opening of a beach in Dherynia to just Turkish Cypriots and Turkish citizens is ethnic separation and a violation of human rights and freedoms,” the group said in an announcement, the Cyprus Mail reported.

“The practice where access to a beach is permitted by the presentation of identity papers is an anachronistic and shameful policy of apartheid and cannot under any circumstances be justified,” the Unite Cyprus group said.

“International law provides equal dignity and value to human beings, and the right to equality and non-discrimination for all, regardless of nationality,” it added. The group called on the Turkish Cypriot authorities to abolish “this shameful discrimination policy” immediately.

Before 1974, Varosha was the modern tourist area of the city. Its inhabitants fled during the invasion, when it came under Turkish control, and it has remained abandoned and under the occupation of the Turkish Armed Forces ever since.