Press Releases

Drop the logo! - 17 October 2006

London, 17 October 2006: Human rights group Embargoed! is calling on Greek Cypriots to drop their commonly used Cyprus conflict logo– a map of the island with blood dripping down from the North – which the group says is offensive to Turkish Cypriots. The ‘Bloody Map’ also forms the basis of a complaint from Embargoed! to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) following its use in a 2 page advertisement from the National Federation of [Greek] Cypriots in a London local newspaper.

The ‘Bloody Map’ issue came to the fore following publicity of the National Federation of Cypriots’ annual London ‘rally for Cyprus’, which condemns Turkey’s 1974 intervention into the Cyprus conflict. The Map featured in a 2 page advertisement published in the Haringey Advertiser on 26 July 2006, and resulted in many Turkish Cypriots contacting Embargoed! to complain. The group took these complaints to the newspaper and the ASA, and asked them to take action to prevent the logo’s future use.

“For Turkish Cypriots, the sight of the Bloody Map is utterly offensive. Its crude and vulgar imagery demonises North Cyprus and vilifies Turks based on the one-sided interpretation of the events of 1974. It’s false and cruel to imply only Greek Cypriots suffered and all the suffering was inflicted by Turkey. For 11 years, Greek Cypriots subjected Turkish Cypriots to a reign of terror, with 50% forced out of their homes.” said Dr. Fusun Nadiri of Embargoed!

She continued, “Being trapped by the past is not going to help Cyprus. The best way to reconcile the two sides is to avoid anything that fuels hatred of the other. Both sides have endured major trauma and only by acknowledging this can we move forward to a peaceful future built on the recognition of the collective and individual rights of both Greek and Turkish Cypriots.”

Although the ASA has yet to announce its decision on whether the advert/logo is “offensive”, Embargoed! members incensed by the issue have started a petition, generating 457 signatures in 4 days. Others have lobbied their local MPs and councillors about the matter, with various politicians contacting Embargoed! to say they are concerned about the damage such a logo is having, especially in areas where there are high concentrations of Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.

Embargoed! has also written an open letter to Mr. Haris Sophoclides, President of the National Federation of Cypriots, asking the umbrella group for UK Greek Cypriots to drop their ‘Bloody Map’ logo. The group hopes that by widening awareness of the issue, it can stimulate an important debate within London’s two Cypriot communities.
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Notes to editors

1. Photo is of Mr. Haris Sophoclides, President of the National Federation of [Greek] Cypriots
2. Open Letter to Mr. Haris Sophoclides, President of the National Federation of [Greek] Cypriots

17 October 2006

Dear Mr Sophoclides,

As the chairman of human rights group Embargoed!, I am writing to you about your organisation’s use of a logo – a map of Cyprus that has blood coming from the North –which has caused deep offence to many of our members. We feel this logo fuels enmity between the two sides and would ask that the National Federation of [Greek] Cypriots’ stop using it.

While we understand how this image in the ‘Bloody Map’ perfectly fits into your desire to present the Cyprus conflict as one of ‘Turkish invasion and occupation’, this is a cruel and false approach. As you know, both sides in Cyprus have suffered enormously and Turkish Cypriots would challenge vigorously this version of history. However, the purpose of this letter is not to debate the past (we can another time), but to ask you to consider the negative impact the ongoing use of this logo is having on relations between the two communities in London and beyond.

The ‘Bloody Map’ logo clearly references the events of July 1974, but 32 years on, is it acceptable that an icon based on such strong one-sided emotive feelings still be used? As you are no doubt aware, this same icon is viewed by Turkish Cypriots as a crude, insulting and vulgar misrepresentation of Cyprus’ tragic past; instead of reconciliation, all this logo does it create anger and hostility between the two sides.

In the past 3-4 years, Turkish Cypriots have undergone enormous changes politically and psychologically. They have sought to come to terms with the events of 1963-74 and beyond, not just from their own perspective, but also from that of their neighbours. For example, schools in North Cyprus no longer have textbooks with images and references that demonise Greek Cypriots, with the National Curriculum focusing on a more balanced version of history, celebrating multi-culturalism and championing tolerance. These are the seeds to a peaceful future.

We hope that Greek Cypriots also take a good hard look at the way they currently relate to the ‘Other’ side, and take the necessary steps to eliminate offensive and biased material. We trust that your organisation can take the lead in this, helping to spearhead a positive change of attitude within the Greek Cypriot community, so that it can acknowledge the traumas of both sides and even when campaigning for its own rights, does not do so by offending others. Abandoning the ‘Bloody Map’ – a relic of past animosities that unfairly demonises an entire people and territory – would be a powerful and timely demonstration of Greek Cypriots’ good will in this matter.

The ‘Bloody Map’ has no positive role to play in 21st century Cyprus or Britain, and I look forward to working with you to help foster a more positive climate that will help reconcile the two Cypriot peoples.

Yours sincerely,

Bulent Osman
Chairman, Embargoed!
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About Embargoed! – www.embargoed.org
Embargoed! is an independent human rights group campaigning for the immediate and unconditional end to all embargoes against North Cyprus. The group was launched on 4 March 2005 and aims to play an active role in raising awareness about the isolation of North Cyprus and lobbying world leaders and institutions to restore the fundamental political, economic and social rights of Turkish Cypriots.

Contact Embargoed!:
• Telephone/fax: + 44 (0)20 8279 8561
• Email: mail@embargoed.org;
• Post: Embargoed! Suite 205, 14 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 1JY

Press Enquiries:
Ms. Ýpek Özerim
T: +44 (0)777 623 0466
E: campaigns@embargoed.org



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