The vanishing Turkish Cypriots are found

The vanishing Turkish Cypriots are found

At last the Turkish Cypriot voice is beginning to be heard. Tens of thousands protested in a number of powerful rallies against Denktash’s ethnically divisive policies. Whilst the Republic of Cyprus is embraced by culturally diverse Europe, the Denktash regime’s policy of apartheid is rightly shunned. So why haven’t we heard these protests before? Where has this opposition suddenly come from? Of course it has been there all along. But whilst it served US, UK and Turkish interests to pretend that the Turkish invasion occurred to protect the Turkish Cypriots and not to serve Turkey’s strategic purposes, the voice was silenced. Journalists such as Kutlu Adali were murdered and those seeking to meet with Greek Cypriots were banned from doing so. The lie had to be perpetuated that the Turkish Cypriots were happy with their lot and looked upon Turkey and Denktash as their saviour.

As a result of Ankara’s policies the Turkish Cypriots have now become a minority even within the occupied areas, given the presence of over 120,000 Turkish colonists. It is believed that fewer than 75,000 Turkish Cypriots remain in the occupied area. Indeed it could be argued that Denktash is no longer the representative of the Turkish Cypriots (if he ever was) but only of the colonists and Turkey.

Turkey has committed yet another genocide, this time of the Turkish Cypriots. It is time that all Cypriots unite to rid their country of the invader and occupier. We call on all Cypriots to demand a settlement that guarantees human rights and values and is in line with the acquis communautaire and to oppose the illegal, inhumane and racially divisive Annan plan.

Only then can all Cypriots finally prosper and move forward with confidence as equals amongst all Europeans.