Press Releases

Turkish Cypriot Women Break the Silence - 26 May 2006

When artist Ayhatun Atesin and Embargoed! co-founder Ipek Ozerim first spoke about The Silent Walk (Sessiz Yuruyus), there was an air of excitement about the initiative coming to London. ‘Women Make The Peace’, ‘Turkish Cypriots United Against the Embargoes’. Ayhatun’s vision marries these two concepts perfectly through her ‘walking women’s shoes’, where all come together on a specific mission irrespective of their individual political ideologies. This approach echoes the ethics of the Embargoed! campaign to end the embargoes on Turkish Cypriots.

With Oya Talat, a long-time political activist and President of the Patriotic Women’s Union, added to the programme, the London leg of The Silent Walk would see women come to the fore to discuss the Cyprus Problem and the isolation issue.

First stop for The Silent Walk was London Turkish Radio – the symbolic UK home of Turkish Cypriots. During an hour long programme Oya and Ayhatun explained what The Silent Walk was about and why they were in town. Feedback during and after the broadcast shows their message resonated well with a diverse audience.

Next was lunch with Embargoed! patron and world renowned artist Hussein Chalayan, who praised the simple and effective use of women’s shoes to promote unity and break down barriers. Post-lunch was a trip ‘South of the River’ to the Southwark Cyprus Turkish Community Centre, where chairman Hulusi Yuruten had also organised local MP Harriet Harman to attend. Woman to woman, Harriet and Oya heard about the discrimination faced by Turkish Cypriots due to the embargoes. The “Hellim Harassment” at British airports – where even kids are stopped and searched for “illegal goods” – must stop, urged those present. Harriet said she would follow-up.

Back to North London and the Turkish Cypriot Women’s Project for a brainstorm with a sample of London’s active Turkish Cypriot women. The session, designed to synergise the group, commenced with Oya and Ayhatun explaining their mission, followed by an open forum. The attendees let rip on what they liked and disliked about Cyprus, the attributes of being a Turkish Cypriot and a woman, and the best ways to generate unity. With energy levels in the room surging, the women pledged to keep this initiative going, and to turn words into action.

Final stop for Friday was dinner with the newly elected UK Turkish Cypriot councillors and a plea from the guests that our political representatives are more active on the isolation issue.

On Saturday, spreading the Unity gospel continued with a public seminar in the Turkish Cypriot Community Centre in Harringay. Alongside Oya and Ayhatun’s talks were presentations from Limassol Turkish Association chair Emine Sonmez, who focused on her days as a member of 1960s London Turkish Cypriot Women’s Aid Committee, Liberal Democrat Councillor Meral Ece’s personal account as a modern female politician, and Ipek Ozerim’s review of the significant impact female members of Embargoed! were having on the campaign. Throughout, the audience was encouraged to get active, and post seminar many women again came forward wanting more information on how to get involved.

The Silent Walk had entered London without fanfare, quickly connecting with an assorted mix of people from different political viewpoints, establishing the need to join forces. “The Silent Walk embodies the struggle faced by the Turkish Cypriot people. For 42 years, the world has ignored our existence and our rights. The isolation does not care what your ideology is, it affects us all.” said Ipek Ozerim. “We need a united front and concerted direct action to bring about change. Embargoed! has proven that we can overcome the ‘Them & Us’ approach that is typical to the Cyprus problem, pushing aside our differences to campaign together. Women have been integral to our movement; their creativity, tenacity, resourcefulness and sensitivity brings a dimension that is missed by many men.”

Time will tell what this London visit will yield, but at a time when male rhetoric on Cyprus continues to focus on power politics, do not be surprised if this “Silent” female-inspired humanist initiative ends up having a far wider impact.


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