WASHINGTON – A report issued by the US Helsinki Commission underlines that religious artifacts in the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus are in ''great peril''.It notes that thousands of Orthodox icons, manuscripts, frescoes and mosaics have been looted from churches, chapels and monasteries in northern Cyprus, ending up on international auction blocks. The report is the result of a lengthy investigation by the Helsinki Commission and titled ''Destruction of Cultural Property in the Northern Part of Cyprus and Violations of International Law.'' An article in ''The Washington Times'' on Tuesday cited extracts from the report obtained ahead of a panel discussion on Capitol Hill. The US Helsinki Commission under the co-chairmanship of Senator Ben Cardin and Representative Alcee Hastings held a briefing entitled ''Cyprus' Religious Cultural Heritage in Peril.'' CNA