Cyprus
| Author | Jerry Toft, Nathan Moran, Robert Hanser |
| Pages | 332-334 |
Page 332
Official country name: Republic of Cyprus
Capital: Nicosia
Geographic description: An island in the eastern Mediterranean, south of Turkey
Population: 780,133 (est. 2005)
The country of Cyprus is located in the Mediterranean Sea just south of Turkey. The proof of civilization dates back to past 2700 B.C.E. In modern times it was a part of the Ottoman Empire until annexation by Britain in 1914. As a commonwealth of Britain until 1960, many of Britain's laws were adopted when Cypriots began to self-govern themselves. Turkey claimed Cyprus until a treaty with Britain in 1924, wherein Turkey renounced any ownership claims. Eighty-five percent of the island's people are Greek, while about 12 percent are Turkish; the remaining 3 percent is made up of other ethnic groups. Greece supported an attempt by Cypriots to take power away from the Turkish minority. Turkey stepped in and by 1975 effectively split the island in two. As of 2005, there was a buffer zone separating the Turkish northern part of the island from the Greek southern part. The United Nations patrols this "green line" to keep the peace, which has been tenuous since the split.
Originally, the 1960 constitution set forth guidelines for a presidential system using three separate branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Under this constitution there remains a system of power sharing to help ensure the rights of the Turkish Cypriot minority. Out of eighty seats in the unicameral legislative branch, twenty-four are set aside for Turkish Cypriots, although none is filled. The current Cypriot president, Tassos Papadopoulos, became president in 2003 and will serve a five-year term. The vice president position is currently vacant due to the fact that it is reserved for a Turkish Cypriot. The two positions together appoint the Supreme Court judges. This branch hears appeals from the assize and district courts. Both of these courts can act as courts of original jurisdiction for criminal cases throughout Cyprus. They levy fines and determine punishment for criminal charges brought to them through law enforcement efforts.
Police in government-controlled Cyprus (Greek Cyprus) operate under civilian command to enforce the laws passed down through legislature. The 3,700 police officers in service are commanded by the chief of police who answers to...
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