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April 2008
Sample letter: [Your name and address] [Name of your MP] [date] Dear [name of your MP] RE: Greek Cypriot missing persons I am writing to you about the missing persons of Cyprus and to ask that you raise this important and tragic issue in Prime Minister’s question time or at any other appropriate time before the House In the recent case of Varnava and others v Turkey, Turkey was found guilty of violating the European Convention of Human Rights. By failing to conduct an effective investigation into the fate of the nine applicants, who have been missing since 1974, the European Court of Human Rights held that there had been a continuing violation of their right to life. Through the same failings, Turkey was guilty of subjecting the relatives of the nine applicants to inhumane and degrading treatment. The Court further noted that the missing persons had been seen alive under the detention of the Turkish army, in both Cyprus and Turkey, after the hostilities of 1974 had ceased and on this basis held that Turkey had violated their right to liberty. On basis of this judgment I would like you to ask the Prime Minister what steps are being taken by him and his government to firstly ensure that Turkey complies with this judgment of the ECHR and provides information on the fate of the missing persons and what is being done to ensure full and prompt implementation of this judgment. Yours sincerely How to take action Use the above letter as a basis for writing your own Send your letter to your MP at the House of Commons You can find your MP’s details at:
Further information:
November 2007
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Respect international agreements and efforts to solve the Cyprus problem and avoid any action of direct or indirect recognition of the so-called "TRNC", which undermines the UN agreements." Submitted by Loukia Taxitari – Deadline to sign up by: 26 November 2007. Great Britain and Turkey have recently signed a Joint Strategic Partnership, in which occupied North Cyprus is referred to as "TRNC" (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus). We demand that such actions of indirect recognition of an illegal state are avoided and international agreements on the Cyprus problem are respected. We also demand that the UK joins and supports the efforts of the international community towards the implementation of the 8 July Agreement, the only agreement accepted by the Security Council for a viable solution to the Cyprus problem. Go to http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/CyprusProblem
June 2007
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to demand of Turkey that it comply fully with the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights, which found it guilty of violating the right to life and liberty of Cypriots regarded as missing persons since its illegal invasion and occupation of Cyprus in 1974 and for violating the right of their relatives not to be subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment, whilst searching for news of their loved ones. Submitted by Organisation of Relatives of Missing Cypriots (UK) – Deadline to sign up by: 04 September 2007. Over fourteen hundred people are still missing. Many were soldiers, who were either taken alive as undeclared prisoners of war or went missing in action in areas now under occupation. Also missing are many civilians: men, women and children who were rounded up by the Turkish army from their own homes and villages but never released. Turkey ignores UN, EU and Council of Europe resolutions calling for an end to this humanitarian problem. Refuses even to comply with the decision of the European Court of Human Rights (Appl. No; 25781/94-10 May 2001) and interim resolutions by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe backing the Court’s decision. Go to http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/cyprusmissing
"We, the undersigned, demand the return of varosha to its lawful inhabitants that were displaced in 1974, according to public international law, fundamental human rights and the resolutions of the un security council and the relevant rulings of the european court of human rights" Famagusta, Varosha being the modern part of the city, is currently a 'ghost-town', an abandoned city, empty since the displacement of its citizens in the summer of 1974. In August 1974, Turkey carried out the second part of its military invasion against Cyprus, a country of which it still occupies 36% of its territory. This is a Global Campaign for the Return of Varosha to its Lawful Inhabitants, displaced by force in 1974. In a time where International Law and respect for Human Rights is in decline, you can join us in demanding that right prevails over wrong, that States comply with their international obligations in maintaining peace and order and that the people of Famagusta return back to their homes after 33 years in exile! Go to http://www.isxys.org/famagusta/ 2. SUBMIT A COMMENT TO THE GUARDIAN WEBSITE REGARDING THE GEOFF HOON ARTICLE: 'Can Cyprus reunify? Despite joining the EU in 2004, the problems of reunification in Cyprus are as intransigent as ever'. "Most British people know Cyprus from their vacations. Travel brochures describe "an island of legends that basks in the light of the warm Mediterranean sun". But many visitors will be surprised to find an island divided and a capital city, Nicosia, split in two. Cyprus is not written about in our newspapers so much these days. Indeed, in many ways it is a forgotten island…" The article has many anti-Greek Cypriot responses. Go to http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/geoff_hoon/2007/04/can_cyprus_reunify.html
The European Union Parliament is pressuring the Turkish Government to restore Saint Sophia Cathedral from a museum into a Greek Orthodox church. However the Parliament has set a requirement of 1,000,000 signatures on a petition before it makes this conversation a prerequisite for Turkey’s admission into the European Union. You are requested to cast your vote by logging on to a link at www.hagiasophiablog.com. This is an opportunity for each of you to have an impact on world events. Get as many Greek Orthodox, other Orthodox and Christian friends of yours to sign the petition and make history.
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to act in accordance with Britain’s treaty obligations with the Republic of Cyprus and to take decisive action to prevent direct trade and direct flights between Britain and Turkish occupied Cyprus and to prevent the illegal sale and advertising of Greek Cypriot property to British nationals. Go to http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/occupied-cyprus As soon as you sign the petition wait for an e-mail reply and click on the link they show you otherwise your name is not registered. 2. CONTACT THE ADVERTISING STANDARDS AUTHORITY AND TRANSPORT FOR LONDON – COMPLAIN ABOUT ADVERTS ON LONDON BUSES AND UNDERGROUND STATIONS THAT PROMOTE OCCUPIED CYPRUS FOR HOLIDAYS The adverts are misleading and offensive. They include the text: "unspoilt heritage" which is untrue as Turkey and its occupation regime have destroyed, not preserved the cultural heritage of occupied Cyprus. The adverts give the impression that the occupied area is a legitimate holiday destination when it is not. If you wish to see an example of the advertisements contact a Lobby for Cyprus. Advertising Standards Authority, Mid City Place, 71 High Holborn, London WC1V 6QT Central Customer Services, 23rd Floor Empress State Building, Empress Approach, London SW6 1TR Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, Greater London Authority, City Hall, The Queen's Walk, More London, London SE1 2AA 3 WRITE TO OVERSEAS PROPERTY PROFESSIONAL MAGAZINE The web editor of the influential property magazine Overseas Property Professional (OPP) is currently inviting readers to comment on the issue of advertising properties in the occupied northern part of Cyprus in the media. The question they pose is: Send your comments to webeditor@opp.org.uk 4. COMPLAIN TO THE METRO NEWSPAPER ABOUT A TRAVEL FEATURE PROMOTING OCCUPIED CYPRUS AS A HOLIDAY DESTINATION Please see the article below published in Metro on Monday 5th March. According to the Cyprus government the hotel the Metro reporter stayed in is stolen property. Go to www.metro.co.uk/travel "Metro 5 March 2007 Make friends in the north When is a church garden not part of the church? When a UN buffer zone bisects it. There is a pretty little Catholic church in Nicosia, or Lefkosia as it is also known, that proves the point. For, on this divided island, you can't get into the building from the Turkish side, as the entrance is in Greek Cyprus, but you can't get into the garden from the Greek side as it is in Turkish Cyprus. Confused? Welcome to a world of Mediterranean-style macho posturing, with a dash of UN incompetence thrown in for good measure. The Green Line – actually a rather unattractive rusty old fence – was established as a buffer zone by the UN in 1974 after fighting over Cyprus ceased between Turkey and Greece. North of the line, you're in the country that dare not speak its name – the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus – and south of it you're back in what everyone else knows as Cyprus. Thankfully, since 2003, border restrictions for tourists have been eased, making travel between the two sides as easy as Greek cake, or Turkish delight if you prefer. Keeping it low-key The upside for tourists visiting a 'country' only recognised by Turkey is that, unlike the Greek side, the north has been spared the excesses of mass tourism, so you will be unlikely to encounter Premiership footballers, squaddies or the fish'n'chip brigade. North Cyprus attracts the culture vulture rather than the lager lout. It is a land of small villages, many, such as Bellapais, attractively nestled on the slopes of the Kyrenia Mountains that separate the north coast from the rest of the island. There are some excellent Roman ruins, Gothic churches, atmospheric castles and one of the Med's finest beaches in Gazimagusa Bay. I stayed in the delightful resort of Kyrenia (or Girne in Turkish), which has one of the most picturesque small ports in the Mediterranean. From Kyrenia, it is easy to explore most of North Cyprus on day trips and be back in time for a mouth-watering seafood banquet in one of the many fine harbourside restaurants, such as the superb Canli Balik. From the five-star Colony Hotel, with its rooftop pool and bar commanding views overlooking the town and harbour, I ventured out into a land of bucolic splendour. In the north-east corner of the island is the Karpas Peninsula, known locally as the Panhandle. Much of the northern part of the sparsely populated peninsula is without electricity and protected from development. It is also the only part of North Cyprus where some Greek residents refused to move south of the Green Line, preferring to live in peace with their Turkish neighbours as they had been doing for hundreds of years. In the most northerly village, Dipkarpaz, a handsome Greek Orthodox church and mosque sit cheek by jowl, as if in defiance of the politicians. Great escape The road hits the east coast south of Golden Beach, one of the most glorious and unspoilt stretches of sand I've visited. There is no development other than a few rustic huts that you can rent in summer. The best of the Roman ruins are at Salamis, which date back to the 11th century BC. The Roman emperor Constantius II rebuilt the city in the fourth century and its impressive auditorium could once accommodate 15,000 spectators. The place serves as a timely reminder of what could be achieved when Cyprus was still a united island. |
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