Jennifer Lopes cancels performance in Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus

Jennifer Lopez, American singer and actress has cancelled a concert that she had agreed to stage this month in the Turkish occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, after a strong reaction against her planes.

The celebrity had been invited to celebrate her 41st birthday , in return for taking part in a one-off concert on the anniversary of the date that Turkish troops invaded and occupied the northern part of the island.

Thousands of people had launched over the last few weeks an online campaign asking Lopez to reconsider her decision to perform in the Turkish Cypriot pseudostate, officially recognized only by Turkey.

According to a statement issued by Lopez’s representative “Jennifer Lopez would never knowingly support any state, country, institution or regime that was associated with any form of human rights abuse. After a full review of the relevant circumstances in Cyprus, it was the decision of her advisors to withdraw from the appearance. This was a team decision that reflects our sensitivity to the political realities of the region” the statement concludes.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.