As a Cypriot student movement in the United Kingdom, we feel the need to express our shock and dismay for the demonstration organised on Sunday at Trafalgar Square by the “TRNC freedom” movement, which calls upon the recognition of the so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” by Yourself and the people of the United Kingdom.
The so-called Turkish republic of Northern Cyprus is a pseudo-entity that nobody else recognised except the aggressor itself, Turkey. It is nothing more and nothing less than the outcome of the illegal invasion and occupation of the island, and the legalisation of the fait accompli of Turkey’s aggressions. We want to make it explicit that the northern part of Cyprus has never been ethnically Turkish. Greek and Turkish Cypriots have cohabitated in the whole island throughout recent history. It was only after the Turkish invasion and occupation that the Turkish army has violently displaced all the Greek-Cypriot inhabitants from the north. Based on clear plans of ethnocide, they have forcibly changed the names of towns and villages, from Greek to Turkish and systematically destroyed or desecrated ancient Greek monuments and Christian places of worship that were a testament to the true historical character of Cyprus. Thus, “TRNC” constitutes an illegal regime and there is no question of international recognition for it, as there is a decision adopted by the International Community and confirmed by United Nations and the European Community. Particularly, UN Security Council Resolution 541/1983, dated 18 November 1983, declares the proclamation of the establishment of the “TRNC” legally invalid and calls upon all states ‘not to recognise any Cypriot State other than the Republic of Cyprus.’ Also, Resolution 550, dated 11 May 1984, calls upon all states ‘not to facilitate or in anyway assist the aforesaid secessionist entity (meaning “TRNC”)’.
Our country was barbarically invaded by Turkey on the 20th July 1974. Over 5,000 people were murdered in the process, most of these being unarmed civilians, women, men, children and old people. 200,000 Greek Cypriots were uprooted, and made refugees in their own country to this day. Well over 160,000 unlawful Turkish Anatolian Settlers were imported to the island by Turkey in order to fill the vacuum left after the persecution of the refugees. More than a thousand souls are still missing, presumed to be murdered and what’s left of them scattered all over the occupied area, and ever since 1974 Turkey still occupies 37% of the island with the might of over 43,000 strong Turkish Army. In the occupied area, over 500 Christian Churches and cemeteries have been desecrated by the Turks, and turned into stables, toilets, mosques, coffee shops and even night clubs. 800 Greek Cypriot women, young girls and even elders were barbarically raped and murdered by the Turks in 1974, in front of their families. Horrific narration of Turkey’s atrocities were published in unprecedented detail in the British newspaper “The Sun” on 5th August 1974, and two years later were officially confirmed and condemned by the Council of Europe. Turkey was found guilty as charged.
The Turkish Cypriot claims of isolation are nothing but a myth. The Republic of Cyprus has always held its doors open for them, and they were always free and able to enjoy their rights and benefits as lawful citizens of the state. They are free to acquire a Passport and Identification Card of the Republic of Cyprus, and enjoy their full rights as European Citizens. The only ones not able to do so are the Turkish Settlers, which of course are not lawful citizens of the state. The Cyprus problem is not the fake isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, but the fact that Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974 and since then, a large part of a sovereign country is still under illegal military occupation.
On the contrary, barbed wires block the way for the Greek Cypriots to enter the occupied area in order to visit the graves of their loved ones, unless they demonstrate a valid ID, as if they are to visit another country. People die, with the hope to return to their ancestral homes remaining a far-fetched dream. The so-called “TRNC” violates the human rights of the Greek Cypriots, and simultaneously the rights of the Turkish Cypriots who because of the Turkish propaganda believe that the European Community and the United Nations are guilty for their imaginary isolation.
We ask from the new British Government, which promised to respect human rights and justice, to consider the people of Cyprus whose rights are being violated to this day. We ask to block the way to this Turkish illegal demand. Besides, the UN Security Council Resolutions are clear and prohibit any recognition of the secessionist entity and no assistance or cooperation with it.
We thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
Yours sincerely,
Marios Nikolaou
President
‘METOPO’, Cypriot Student Movement UK
Read the full press release in Greek here: http://www.metopo.org.uk/dt2010010009-trncfreedom.html
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