Press Releases

EU, Restore the Fundamental Rights of the Turkish Cypriot People - 26 April 2006

Declaration read out at Gagged in Brussels

We are here today to appeal to the European Union (EU) to keep their commitment made to the Turkish Cypriot People on 26 April 2004 to end 42 years of isolation from the international community.

On 24 April 2004, in spite of the high costs to them, 65% of Turkish Cypriots voted in favour of the United Nations plan to unify Cyprus on established principles of political equality, bi-zonality and bi-communality. As a result, the EU Commission declared they would take measures to end their isolation. Two years on and not a single embargo has been lifted.

Greek Cypriots of South Cyprus, who comprehensively voted no to the UN Plan in 2004, have been admitted into the EU with full representation and benefits of membership.

In contrast, the Turkish Cypriot people of North Cyprus continue to suffer under apartheid conditions, denied the right to direct representation, trade, travel, and communication within the EU and beyond. Instead of taking positive steps to fulfil their promises, the EU has failed Turkish Cypriots by abandoning its commitment to direct trade, halving the promised financial aid while adding new conditions that would further undermine their rights.

If equality, democracy and the respect of human rights are the cornerstones of the EU, then we ask how can the EU violate the rights of its own so-called citizens in this way?

We therefore call upon the international community in general and in particular the Member States of the European Union to honour their words to end the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people and their homeland of North Cyprus.
All embargoes against the Turkish Cypriot people and North Cyprus should be removed immediately and unconditionally and the international community should:

1. Acknowledge that the Greek Cypriot Administration of South Cyprus, acting under the banner of the ‘Republic of Cyprus’, has neither the right nor the authority to represent the Turkish Cypriot people;

2. Deal directly with the elected representatives and authorities of the Turkish Cypriot people;

3. Enable:
* Direct flights to and from North Cyprus;
* Direct postal and telecommunications links between North Cyprus and the rest of the world;
* Unhindered trade, direct foreign investment and aid to North Cyprus;
* Direct access to North Cyprus sea ports;
* The participation and representation of Turkish Cypriot organisations and representatives at international political, social, cultural, sportive events and organisations;
* North Cyprus to host international events.

The then EU Commissioner for Enlargement Verheugen stated on 26 April 2004, “Turkish Cypriots must not be punished because of this [UN Annan Plan referenda] result. The Regulation to be issued by the Commission will serve this aim.…now we have to end the isolation of the North.”

On this second anniversary of the 26 April 2004 decision of the Council we ask the EU, the international community and the peace loving people throughout the world, how many more years must Turkish Cypriots live deprived of their political and human rights, and under inhumane embargoes?

Signed:
1. Bulent Osman, Chairman of Embargoed!
2. Hüseyin Ezgin, Representative of Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry
3. Ziya Özkosar, Representative of Cyprus Turkish Farmers Union
4. Dr. Bülent Dizdarli, President of the Cyprus Turkish Medical Association
5. Kamil B. Raif, Head of think tank DEKAP
6. Hakki Atun (former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus), Chair of Eastern Mediterranean University’s Strategic Research Centre (DAÜ-SAM)
7. Dr. Kaya Arslan, Representative of Eastern Mediterranean University
8. Mesut Günsev, President of the Foreign Press Association
9. Ms. Seniz Büyükkaraca, General Secretary for the International Council of North Cyprus (ULKON)
10. Bertan Özerdag, Representative of (North Cyprus) Law Association
11. Associate Prof. Dr. Cavit Atalar, Representative of Near East University
12. Aydin Yorgancioglu, Representative of the (North Cyprus) National Olympic Committee
13. Özbek Dedekorkut, Representative of (North Cyprus) Travel Agents
14. Ms. Remziye Özpolili, Representative of (North Cyprus) Young Business People’s Association
15. Hulusi Yuruten, Chairman of Southwark Cyprus Turkish Association (London)
16. Emine A Sonmez, the Chairperson of Limassol Turkish Association (London)


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