Cyprus-Forum.com

[turkcyp]

deleted by the author...

[boulio]

what about the g/c of karpasia what about there rights,your right two wrongs dont make a right.

[turkcyp]

deleted by the author...

[boulio]

security,education,religious practice a few of them,some may have been given this year im not sure however.turkey needs torespect these rights since they are the ruling entity in the north.

[turkcyp]

deleted by the author...

[metecyp]

what about the g/c of karpasia what about there rights,your right two wrongs dont make a right.

See, you're comparing apples and oranges again. First of all, I don't approve any human right violation whether it's done against TCs or GCs. So I would like to see the GCs in Karpasia treated well. But the TRNC has no obligation towards those people (except under Viena agreement but that falls on Turkey). TRNC does not claim to represent these people nor were these people involved in the declaration of the TRNC. On the other hand, the structure in the south claims to represent the TCs, not only that, but the RoC entered the EU claiming to represent the whole island! See the difference now?

Metecyp, if this is what you want then WHY DON'T YOUR POLITICIANS DEMAND TO GAIN THEIR RIGHTS UNDER THE ROC?

I don't know mikkie2. I think it would be a good move but maybe the politcians don't want to go back to the RoC. But you have to understand that it DOESN't matter if the politicians choose to demand their rights in the RoC or not. The bottomline is this: If the RoC claims to represent the TCs, then it has to fulfill its duties against TCs. It's that simple. Whether TC politicians choose to go in that path or not IS IRRELEVANT but the RoC has to provide the choice to go in that path and this is the point I'm trying to get across.

[-mikkie2-]

Metecyp

How can the RoC fullfill its duties to TC's when the TC's refuse to participate? Your politicians represent your community but they refuse to accept the existance of the RoC and in so doing deny YOU your rights under the RoC.

As far as I know the TC's living in the south are free to do as they wish within the laws of the RoC. They can freely practice their religion, they have access to all the facilities that the government provides for all citizens, they are not being terrorised. You campare this with the way the GC's living in Karpasia who are afraid to leave their houses. They get burgled regularly and the police over there do nothing to help them.

Its typical of you to say that the trnc has no responsibility towards them. Its pathetic and cowardly attitude to take. These people are human beings and should be treated as such.

[boulio]

but thats the whole point mikke now thats turkeys problem not the trnc.the t/c (add not all of them)have two hats in there hands whenever they want they keep changing it,when its for there benefit the are a equal partner to the g/c and deserve the world,when its against them they put the other hat on and say we are not responsible go to turkey.

[Piratis]

Who agrees for all wrongs to be stopped and return to legality?

Who wants the other side only to do what is "right" while at the same time they support the wrong doings of their side?

I said it before: The TC problems will end when the GC problems will end. You can not convince us, and you can not force us to act otherwise. The same way that our refugees were crying for years for their rights and nobody helped them, you can cry too. the result?

If what you want to prove is that we are not Jesus Christ that will get hit on one cheek and then turn to be hit on the other cheek as well, there is no reason to try so hard to prove it. We declare it clearly ourselves: The "good boys" policies are over.

So it is about time to start thinking of how we can solve the problem for everybody and not how to solve your problem only and pretend that you have no responsibility for our problem.

[insan]

BOTH SİDES OF THE MEDALLION ABOUT HUMAN RİGHTS VIOLATONS ON BOTH SİDES OF CYPRUS

The Report By The

TURKISH CYPRIOT HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE



10 October 1996

H.E. Mr. Pierre Sane

Secretary-General Amnesty International Secretariat

1 Easton Street London WC1 8DJ.

Mr. Secretary-General,

I would like to take this opportunity, to bring to your kind attention the intensified human rights violations of the Turkish Cypriots living in South Cyprus by the Greek Cypriots particularly after the recent incident of border violations and acts of provocations perpetrated by the Greek Cypriot side.

It is a fact confirmed by the UN Secretary-General in his report of 8 December, 1995 to the Security Council, that Turkish Cypriots living in South Cyprus are often victims of “capricious discrimination or police harassment”. Furthermore, this shameful reality has been reported frequently by the Greek Cypriot press clearly indicating that the Turkish Cypriots living in Southern Cyprus are being subjected to a policy of intimidation and oppression by the Greek Cypriot administration. Greek Cypriot press often state that the “Turkish quarters” of Limassol and Paphos where Turkish Cypriots are confined to live in ghettos, are areas of poor housing, poor facilities and amenities, illustrating the deliberate discriminatory acts of Greek Cypriot administration against Turkish Cypriots. This has resulted in socio-economic hardship accompanied with denial of equal opportunity which is the violation of basic human rights. Reports published in Greek Cypriot press are clear examples of this:

“The police pressures and terror on the Turkish Cypriots living in South Cyprus constitute only one side of the coin regarding their problems. The other side of the coin is the living conditions of the Turkish Cypriots. The lives of Turkish Cypriots in the South are essentially miserable. They live in very old houses which generally lack electricity and water supplies. They are often employed in hard jobs despite that some are university graduates.”

(By Dinos Ayiomamitis, published in Ergadiki Democratia, August 1991.)

“The Turkish quarter of Limassol is a small ghetto. The people living in this area are third class citizens. Is this a district of co-existence or death? The people living here are fed up with the difficulties of life. It does not make a difference whether they are dead or alive... The Greek Cypriots we spoke to at the coffee shop told us that the Turkish Cypriots are generally employed as construction labourers. There are five Turkish Cypriot children going to the school here and they all speak fluent Greek. Their families teach them Turkish at home.”

(Greek Cypriot daily, Fileleftheros, 5 March, 1995)

It should be noted that Greek Cypriot press is not the only source drawing attention to the systematic campaign of intimidation and discrimination directed against the Turkish Cypriots; credible sources like Human Rights Report of the US Department of State for 1992, also mentions with regard to the discrimination based on race, sex, religion, language and social status that, “UN officials at times state that they are receiving complaints regarding the violation of human rights of Turkish Cypriots living in the South. The said Turkish Cypriots claim they cannot even talk to UN officials unless accompanied by a Greek Cypriot police officer.”

Furthermore, the illegal detention, torture, maltreatment and expulsion of a total number of 22 Turkish Cypriots by the Greek Cypriot administration in April 1994 is of grave concern regarding the human rights violations of Turkish Cypriots undertaken by the Greek Cypriot administration. All of the said Turkish Cypriots were apprehended in groups by Greek Cypriot police on different dates and taken to police station for interrogation. These innocent people were forcefully expelled to North Cyprus as a result of capricious action by Greek Cypriot police, without due process. No legal basis for their arbitrary apprehension or detention has been forwarded ever since. This maltreatment of Turkish Cypriots had also been verified in the report of the UN Secretary-General to the Security Council dated 7 June, 1994:

“In the latter part of April 1994, UNFICYP received from members of the Turkish Cypriot community allegations that in the period from 7 to 23 April 1994, in some 5 incidents, 22 Turkish Cypriots in the southern part of the island had been taken to police custody there, beaten and forcibly sent across the buffer zone into the Northernern part of the island. In the period between mid-April and 10 May 1994, UNFICYP’s Civilian Police conducted an investigation of these allegations through interviews with, and medical examinations of, 14 of the alleged 22 victims. Based on the information gathered by them form this process, CIVPOL has concluded that prime face there is adequate material to support the plausibility of the allegations raise”.

(8/1994/680, Para.39)

Another case in point has been mentioned by your esteemed Institution’s report of 1996. The Greek Cypriot police has been once again found guilty of disregard for the due process of law and practice of systematic torture. The first incident in the mentioned Amnesty International report concerns Salih Askeroglou. The report states that, Greek Cypriot police officers “burst into his home in Limassol without arrest warrant or court order.” His right of speaking to a lawyer was denied and he was beaten up severely. The other incident reported, is of Erkan Egmez who had been abducted by the Greek Cypriot police in October 1995 in the UN buffer zone. He was held in incommunicado detention for a week during which he was tortured.

This systematic oppression and inhuman treatment of Turkish Cypriots living in South Cyprus is a lamentable act which already goes far beyond the bounds of humanity. It should be noted that these deliberate oppressive and discriminatory acts of Greek Cypriot authorities against Turkish Cypriots which are of grave concern for us, brings serious questions to Greek Cypriot propaganda of alleged equal citizenship to Turkish Cypriots living in the South.

It is worthwhile to mention that after the recent border violations and provocative acts of Greek Cypriots encouraged and supported by the Greek Cypriot administration, acts of maltreatment of Turkish Cypriots have been intensified which have been brought into attention by the “Greek Cypriot Peace Center”. According to the Greek Cypriot daily Haravgi in its 21 September, 1996 edition, the said institution has stated that Turkish Cypriots in the South have been receiving threatening phone calls and there are Turkish Cypriots who have been fired from their job or been beaten up with no apparent reason other then being Turkish Cypriots.

In the light of these, I would like to draw your kind attention to the point that the anti-Turkish dogma resulting in systematic oppression and inhuman treatment of Turkish Cypriots living in South Cyprus would help deepen the sense of mistrust between the two communities.

Another case in point demonstrating the fact of hatred towards the Turkish Cypriot people is the Greek Cypriot National Guard swearing-in ceremony. In its 18 August 1996 edition the Greek Cypriot daily Simerini reported that on the said occasion privates, indoctrinated with anti-Turkish dogma, were made to chant anti-Turkish slogans such as “Death to all Turks” and “we will drink the blood of all Turks”, as well as wowing “Until the last Turkish flag on the island was lowered.” Furthermore, this anti-Turkish policy has recently been demonstrated by another act of the Greek Cypriot National Guard; according to the Greek Cypriot daily Haravgi of 21 September 1996, the T-shirts sold by the National Guard carry anti-Turkish inscriptions such as “We are hungry and thirsty and we want to drink Turkish blood”.

These developments have shown once more that the Greek Cypriots with their aggressive designs have no peaceful intention which as a result undermines the efforts towards a peaceful settlement and consequently damage the delicate negotiation process in Cyprus.

In the light of all these, I would like to condemn, and stress our grave concern, once more, on human rights violations of Turkish Cypriots living in the South and anti-Turkish policy employed by the Greek Cypriot authorities.

Please accept, Mr. Secretary-General, the assurance of my highest consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Zaim M. Necatigil

Chairman,

Turkish Cypriot Human Rights

Committee



PLIGHT OF TURKISH CYPRIOTS LIVING

IN SOUTH CYPRUS

The ordeal of about 200 Turkish Cypriots in South Cyprus has become so pressing that, pressures and inhuman treatment meted out to these people by the civil and military authorities, as well as the police and intelligence services of the Greek Cypriot administration, and their wretched living conditions are publicly revealed and frank confessions made in the Greek Cypriot press.

The following excerpts from the Greek Cypriot press, which clearly reflect the Greek Cypriot mode of behaviour towards a handful of Turkish Cypriots, also show how unrealistic the Greek Cypriot arguments are for intermingled co-existence of Greek and Turkish communities in Cyprus.

These reports also constitute a response to the baseless allegations produced by the Greek Cypriot propaganda machine, particularly about the situation of Greek Cypriots living in the Karpaz area of the TRNC, whose favourable living conditions and freedoms are confirmed and constantly supervised by the UNFICYP authorities themselves.

APPENDIX 3



GREEK CYPRIOT CONFESSIONS ABOUT THE ILL-TREATMENT

METED OUT AGAINST TURKISH CYPRIOTS LIVING IN

SOUTH CYPRUS

“SECOND-CLASS CITIZENS”

“The police pressures and terror on the Turkish Cypriot living in South Cyprus constitutes only one side of the coin regarding their problems. The other side of the coin is the living conditions of the Turkish Cypriots. The lives of Turkish Cypriots in the south are essentially miserable. They live in very old houses which generally lack electricity and water supplies. They are often employed in hard jobs, despite that some are university graduates..

“The harassment of the Turkish Cypriots in the south, who generally live in the Turkish quarters of Limassol and Paphos has reached to such an extent that even the ordinary Greek Cypriots find the audacity to impose on them a number of practices of racial discrimination. A notice containing the complaints of a Turkish Cypriot named Tuncay Necip has not been published by Greek Cypriot newspapers in the south..”

(By Dinos Ayiomamitis, published in Ergadiki Democratia, August 1991)

“NO WILLINGNESS TO LIVE TOGETHER”

“Many examples which we observe from everyday life in Cyprus show how deceiving and insincere we are when we ask for reunification with Turkish Cypriots.

“Turkish Cypriots who come to the South Cyprus are arrested for a blunder or some other reason and tried at the courts like an ordinary criminal. The official ‘Government’ of Cyprus treat these people like aliens.

“The fugitives are faced with prejudice and bias and are subjected to a close police pursuit.

“Let us not be deceivers.”

(By Paratiritis, published in Agon, 17 January 1994)

“GREEK CYPRIOTS ARE HYPOCRITES”

“While it pays lip-service to rapprochement with Turkish Cypriots, the Greek bourgeoisie has been spending millions of pounds for arming and has been pursuing a few Turkish Cypriots living in the south on the grounds that they are ‘spies’, thus pushing them into a ghetto. Just like during the era when the Government had been totally composed of Greek Cypriots, (The Greek Cypriot bourgeoisie) has adopted today an aggressive approach towards the Turkish Cypriots, imposing on them a political and economic blockade.”

(Diethnis Socialismos newspaper issue no.2, July-August 1991)

HOT PURSUIT OF TURKS

In a statement to the Greek Cypriot daily Fileleftheros, former Interior Minister of the Greek Cypriot administration Mr. Benjamin said that the Turks in the south are being constantly followed by the members of the Greek Cypriot security units.

In an earlier statement to the Greek Cypriot press, Benjamin had spoken of the existence of a “mechanism” to pursue the Turks in South Cyprus.

(Fileleftheros, 28 November 1990, Greek Cypriot press 25 November 1990)

POLICE PURSUIT

In a statement to Greek Cypriot daily Agon, Andreas Potamaris, second in charge of the Greek Cypriot police, said that the Turks in South Cyprus were being covertly followed.

(Agon, 30 November 1990)

AN INTERVIEW WITH A TURKISH CYPRIOT

NAMED ALTAY FETIN

Periodiko, a Greek Cypriot weekly magazine, published an interview with Altay Fetin, a Turkish Cypriot who had arrived from London and settled in the village Kukla in Paphos district.. In his interview, Fetin complained a lot about the treatment meted out to him and his family by Greek Cypriots, particularly the police. He said that the Greek Cypriot police had constantly followed him adding that the police had frequently visited his workplaces which disturbed his employers who finally sacked him.

Fetin said that he was a painter and he could not run any other private business as no-one extended him any credit or capital.

Fetin further said that because his wife was Australian she was initially welcomed, but once Greeks learned that she was married to a Turk, everyone turned their back on her. Fetin said:

“These are lands where I was born. That’s why I came here. But I see that even the Arabs are far better off than me. I wish to ask one thing: as the Greek Cypriots cannot welcome me, a single Turkish Cypriot, amongst themselves, how will they welcome a large of number of Turks who may return to their homes in the event of a possible settlement of the Cyprus question? The biggest problem of in the event of my children are their Turkish names: Ayse and Tarik.. At the beginning my children are warmly greeted but when they learn that my children’s names are in Turkish, everyone develops a cool and negative attitude towards them.”

(Periodiko, 3 September 1991)

(Nineteen months after the publication of this interview, Altay Fetin could no longer tolerate the Greek Cypriot pressures upon him. Fleeing south for the North, together with his family, Fetin left everything behind. On 10 March 1993, Altay Fetin held a press conference in the TRNC, telling about his ordeal in the south.)

CHRISTIANIZATION PRESSURES ON TURKS IN SOUTH

E. Davut Ali, a Turkish Cypriot living in Limassol, sent a letter to the TRNC Mufti, saying that the Greek Cypriot side had been trying to Christianise them under police pressure.

Ali sought the help of the Mufti in arranging periodic visits by UNFICYP to their places in Limassol.

(Letter dated 23 November 1991 addressed to the Office of the Mufti in TRNC)

POSTERS DECLARING CRUELTIES AGAINST TURKS

Simerini reports that posters were placed on the walls in Limassol, showing the “cruel deeds” against the Turkish Cypriots in this town. The posters were undersigned by the “Committee on the Protection of Turkish Cypriots’ Rights.”

(Simerini, 30 January 1992)

In its ensuing issue, Simerini wrote that the following were written on the posters:

“Although the Turkish Cypriots, who live amongst us today, are equal citizens, they are being subjected to pressures and are being deprived of fundamental human rights.”

CONFESSIONS ABOUT PRESSURES ON TURKS IN SOUTH

In a commentary published in the Greek Cypriot daily Alithia, Takis Aghathocleus wrote about a written statement by the Committee on the Protection of Turkish Cypriots’ Rights, stating the following:

“In a statement issued by the Committee of the Protection of the Turkish Cypriots’ Rights, dated 8 February 1992, it is said that it has been documented and proven that Greek Cypriots exert pressures on Turkish Cypriots (in the south) ... The Committee’s Spokesman is reported to have stressed that ‘State’ pressure is being imposed on the Turkish Cypriots living in South Cyprus.

(Alithia, 9 February 1992)



ANOTHER CASE OF HARASSMENT OF A TURK

According to the Greek Cypriot daily Alithia, the Committee on the Protection of the Turkish Cypriots’ Rights stated that a Turkish Cypriot named Engin Besim had been ill-treated by the Greek Cypriot police and that this person had complained that his constitutional and human rights were violated, criticising the officials of the Greek Cypriot administration. According to the statement of the Committee, the incident took place as follows:

“The police approached Engin who was sitting in a coffee-shop in Paphos on 17 April, and told him to come with them. When Engin said he would not, he was threatened that ‘he will be in trouble’ if he did not obey. Then Engin had to follow the police. Without presenting any court-order and without making any statement, the police searched his bag. Engin was questioned for three hours before he was released.”

According to the newspaper, the Committee stated that whenever an incident occurs, the Turks are pursued by the Greek Cypriot police as primary suspects.



DENUNCIATION

“Whilst a Turkish Cypriot Tuncay Necip was being beaten up by his Greek Cypriot neighbour, the police ignored the report by the Turkish Cypriots.

“These were reported to us by Turkish Cypriot residents of Limassol; specifically today at about twelve noon a Greek Cypriot neighbour attacked and injured Tuncay on the pretext that on the previous night the latter had caused a lot of commotion and prevented the neighbour from having his sleep. Tuncay was taken to the emergency ward in Limassol hospital for treatment.

“The policemen to whom the incident was reported by the daughter-in-law of the Greek Cypriot, as Tuncay was being beaten up, refused to go to the place of the incident and asked them to go to the police station of Limassol to make a deposition.

“This is yet another of many cases of discrimination and persecution that Tuncay, his brother Can and many other Turks who live in the South have to put up with. Tuncay who is a painter by profession had previously complained to the so-called Attorney General that he had been beaten up in Limassol police station.

“Similar reports made about discrimination by the police and Central Information Bureau have been lodged by other Turkish Cypriots, and these reports appeared in the local press.”

(Article by Maria Rossidou and Tinos Lasonos.

From ‘Thiethnis Sosialismos’ Greek Cypriot perodical,

July-August 1991 issue)

INTERVIEWS WITH TURKS IN SOUTH

Greek Cypriot weekly magazine Periodiko published a number of interviews with the Turks living in South Cyprus. Ismail Hater, who introduced himself as a shepherd, among others, said the following:

“On this occasion I wish to make a complaint. (Greek Cypriot) intelligence Service, and especially two or three police officers affiliated to the Service do not let me free.”

(Periodiko, 24 July 1993)



IBRAHIM AZIZ’S STATEMENT

Ibrahim Aziz, one of the Turkish Cypriots living in South Cyprus, in an interview by the Greek Cypriot daily Agon, said that he was not satisfied with his life in the south, adding that he was doomed to live there as a second-class citizen.

Aziz noted:

“Why should I lie? The Turks are treated differently under the ‘Republic of Cyprus’. They do not enjoy equal rights as other citizens.”

Ibrahim Aziz said Greek Cypriots are selfish and semi-illiterate people, showing nationalist tendencies which is the underlying cause of the present disasters.

(Agon, 16 January 1994)

BEATING UP OF ELBIN ALI

Greek Cypriot daily Fileleftheros reported that Elbin Ali, a Turkish inhabitant in the south, had visited the premises of the paper issuing a complaint that he had been beaten up by the Greek Cypriot police.

According to the newspaper, the complaint by Elbin Ali, a construction labourer, is as follows:

“Last Saturday, a police patrol approached him at Lower Paphos. When he was asked where he worked Ali refused to answer. Upon this he was taken to the police station by force and subjected to torture.”

In her complaint, Elbin Ali’s Greek Cypriot wife said that her husband was frequently disturbed by the Greek Cypriot police and was subjected to torture many times.

(Fileleftheros, 7 July 1992)

GREEK CYPRIOT CHAUVINISM ON THE RISE EVERYDAY

In a statement during a gathering, the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of Turkish Cypriots in South Cyprus revealed that the Turks in the south were subjected to heavy pressures.

Greek Cypriot daily Eleftherotipia reported that, during the meeting, it had been stated that rights of about 200 Turks living in South Cyprus under the Greek Cypriot administration were being trampled upon.

The paper also reported that the speakers at the meeting had said that the Greek Cypriot Police, military authorities and courts treated the Turks mercilessly.

Committee member Ayiomamitis argued that under the 1960 Cyprus Constitution the Turks in the south had the right to be elected as the vice-president of the Republic adding that chauvinism was on the rise every passing day among Greek Cypriots.

(Eleftherotipia, 12 July 1992)

PERIODIKO’S INTERVIEWS WITH TURKS

Greek Cypriot weekly magazine Periodiko published a study about the Turkish Cypriots living in South Cyprus. During the interviews conducted by the magazine, Turkish Cypriots complained about the unfavourable living conditions and heavy pressures upon them.

According to the magazine, the youngsters named Cemal, Ahmet, Osman and Fetin stated that “the atmosphere on the Greek side is too heavy for them”, adding that they were labelled as “stingy burglars.”

Another young man named Faik complained about being beaten up continuously.

The magazine further reported that Turkish Cypriots had staged a demo in Paphos, during which the Turkish Cypriots had been attacked, beaten up and chased away by Greek Cypriots.

(Periodiko, 19 July 1992)

SIT-IN PROTEST PREVENTED

Greek Cypriot papers reported that two Turkish Cypriots living in the town of Paphos staged a sit-in protest on 18 January 1993 in front of the District Office, demanding passports, ID cards and housing but that later, they had been arrested by the Greek Cypriot police.

(Greek Cypriot papers, 22-23 January 1993)

EVEN ÖZDEMÝR ÖZGÜR IS A COMPLAINER

Özdemir Özgür, a Turkish Cypriot who lives in South, and who had for many years served as a member of the Greek Cypriot Delegation at the UN and who has been recently included in the teaching staff of the newly established ‘Cyprus University’ complained about certain ill-treatment against him by Greek Cypriots. In a statement to the Greek Cypriot daily Alithia, Özgür complained about being subjected to delays for no justified reason during his travels from the Larnaca Airport.

“Although I have worked as a diplomat at the UN, they mete out such treatment to me”, Özgür said.

(Alithia, 4 October 1992)

A TURKISH CYPRIOT LIVING IN MISERY IN SOUTH

Alithia newspaper reported that a Turkish Cypriot aged 78 has been living in misery and poverty at Engomi village for the last 20 years.

The paper wrote that the old man named Mehmet Salih Hüseyin has been living in a very old room “emitting around a repulsive smell”, that his eyes had been weakened and that he has been living under very wretched conditions.

(Alithia, 30 January 1994)



AYLA YUSUF’S DEMO

Greek Cypriot daily Fileleftheros reported that a Turkish Cypriot woman, aged 40, living in South Cyprus, named Ayla Yusuf held a demo with banners, together with her seven-year old son Emir in front of the Greek Cypriot presidential residence, with the demand of assistance from the Greek Cypriot administration.

It was also indicated that Ayla was unemployed, had to look after her child so she could not work and that she demanded a house and financial support from the Greek Cypriot administration.

(Fileleftheros, 17 February 1994)

TWO TURKISH CYPRIOTS KILLED IN SOUTH

Ertuðrul Akburç, aged 28 and Ilker Tufansoy, aged 24, were shot dead at Aydogan village in Paphos with shotguns and pistols.

The incident created an indignation in the TRNC, while the Greek Cypriot press described the murders as “settling the old scores”.

(Greek Cypriot press, 2 June 1994)

(A thorough study of the Greek Cypriot press has revealed that about 90 Turkish Cypriots have been arrested or imprisoned by the Greek Cypriot police in South Cyprus, during the period 1990-94)

APPENDIX 4



RACISM AGAINST TURKISH CYPRIOTS IN SOUTHERN CYPRUS

Referring to a research on marriages in southern Cyprus the Greek Cypriot daily Alithia reported, that in spite of the Greek Cypriot Administration’s equality policy of all nations Turkish Cypriots living in Limassol have been suffering from extreme poverty and unemployment and living in a miserable situation.

The so-called equality policy of the Greek Cypriot Administration has been prevented by the prejudice of both the public servants and Greek Cypriot police authorities. As a result of this, the Turkish Cypriot population was totally dissociated from the society and has been subjected to ill-treatments. Approximately one hundred and fifty Turkish Cypriots living in Limassol were forced to stay within the territories of the Turkish Cypriot ghetto by the Greek Cypriot police in order to be able to keep them under strict control.

Turkish Cypriots living in South were obliged to get permission from the Greek Cypriot police each time when they have to travel from one city to another. The Turkish Cypriots have always been suspected to be spies by the Greek Cypriot police. The Turkish Cypriot ghetto in Limassol has been different from the other parts of the city, because not a single new building existed there. Especially the tourists were advised not to visit the area. Turkish Cypriot population there has been living in very old houses of Turkish Cypriot refugees who were forced to leave their homes in 1974. When the rain fell water came down from the leakages of the roofs and life became more difficult. The streets of the area were usually silent, the doors were locked and the windows were shut.

The paper reported that the only live place of the Turkish Cypriot ghetto was the Turkish Cafe which all the unemployed got together. Those unemployed never had a leader or a representative who could ask for their granted rights. Referring to the interviews made by Turkish Cypriots, the paper wrote that the employers have always preferred Greek Cypriots or foreigners to Turkish Cypriot employees. Recently a big construction company at Aya Napa recruited construction workers. When the Turkish Cypriot workers applied they were refused and told that they could not be employed because Turkish Cypriot employees were not wanted. A Turkish Cypriot said that there has been a great racism at Limassol and Turkish Cypriot population there has been discriminated because of their race and nationality. This racism was felt stronger at Ayia Napa. The Greek Cypriots there could not bear to see any Turkish Cypriot.

Agon reported that Turkish Cypriot population in Limassol were forced to immigrate to the United Kingdom because they were left unemployed, in poverty, they were subjected to racist attacks, discriminated and they were abused by the Greek Cypriot police.

Mr. Patrikios Pavlu, a Greek Cypriot lawyer defended Turkish Cypriots at the court said that Turkish Cypriots have been leading a miserable life under very heavy and poor sanitary conditions in South Cyprus. He added: “Most of them are living in houses which lack water and electricity supply. Those houses do not even have proper floors. They are living at the heap of ruins like animals in the Greek Cypriot ghetto of Limassol district.” Mr. Pavlu said that they complained about the situation as the committee however, Information Receiving organ (KYP) replied to Mr. Pavlu and his committee that Turkish Cypriots sold the blankets given to them. They did this not because of craziness but because of necessity to gain money to survive. If they did not have a job to earn their lives and did not have anything else to do, obviously they would have started gambling and committing crimes. Therefore they had to sell the blankets to get some food.

(Alithia, 30.12.1996)

APPENDIX 5



QUOTATIONS FROM THE GREEK CYPRIOT PRESS

PEOPLE ONLY THINK ABOUT HATRED

Sir,

I am Cypriot-born and I would like to ask a question. In May I travelled to Northern Cyprus through Turkey in order to visit the place of my creation 80 years ago.

I wanted to visit the place where I was created because my years are coming to an end. Everybody should be thankful to God for the place where he or she was born, and respect it. After I visited the place of my birth in Lapithos and saw the schools I had attended as a boy I relaxed.

Afterwards I wanted to go and visit my three brothers on the other side of Nicosia. Both the Turks and the UN let me go. Then I came to the Greek Cypriot checkpoint, in the hope I would be welcomed after so many years away from my beloved country. Unfortunately when he checked my passport and saw I was born in Cyprus he said “No, you cannot come through, because you came from a forbidden place. You must go to Athens, get a plane to Larnaca, and then come.”

Do you mean that at the age of 80 years old you want me get my suitcase, go to Greece and then come back? My brothers were only five minutes away in Ayios Dhometios. I am not in politics and I don’t qualify to be. I hope some day people will think about peace, because now the only thing they think about is hatred - as they proved to me.

P. Xenophontos,

Silver Spring MD, USA

Cyprus Mail, June 22, 1997

UN PLANS PROTEST OVER HARASSMENT

Ledra Palace protesters yesterday angered the UN when they harassed the Unficyp Commander and a group of his friends travelling to the North.

UN Spokesman Waldemar Rokoszewski said Unficyp will be raising the issue with the “proper authorities of the Republic”.

“What happened was a violation of the status of the 1965 agreement concluded between the Greek Cypriot Administration and the UN providing for freedom of movement of Unficyp personnel.” he said.

At around 10am yesterday Unficyp’s Finnish Commander Brigadier General Ahti Toimi Paavali Vartiainen, with a group of around 15 people, arrived at the check point in a UN mini-bus.

LEAFLETS

Protesters, angered by the fact the Unficyp chief was taking his friends to the North, shouted abuse and plastered leaflets on the vehicle.

Diko deputy Marios Matsakis, who has been leading a protest at the checkpoint to dissuade tourists from crossing to the North, said Vartiainen was bringing Swedish and Finnish tour representatives to the North to have lunch with Turkish Cypriot President Rauf Denktash. “It’s a nice day out,” Matsakis told the Cyprus Mail.

According to Matsakis the Unficyp chief said it was just a small gathering to mark the end of his tenure in Cyprus.

Vartiainen will leave the island at the end of this month.

“He was here in uniform with a UN driver in a UN vehicle,” Matsakis said.

“I personally consider him to be a traitor and a Turkish agent and we have lost faith in the UN in Cyprus.”

Rokoszewski rubbished Matsakis’ claim of a lunch with Denktash and accused the deputy of capitalising on his knowledge that Vartiainen was taking a group of his friends to the North. He could not say whether there were any travel agents among the guests.

Matsakis said he has protested to the Swedish consul in Nicosia and informed the House of Representatives President Spyros Kyprianou who was “absolutely shocked”.

Rokoszewski said it was not the first time the freedom of movement agreement had been violated on the Greek Cypriot side. “But it’s the way this was done” he said referring to yesterday’s incident. “UN property was attacked and abusive language was used against the highest-ranking UN military officer on the island”.

(Cyprus Mail, February 2, 1997)



LEDRA PROTEST DOES NOTHING FOR UNITY

Sir,

We spent our holidays in Cyprus for two weeks. On October 28 at 11am, we wanted to cross the border at the Ledra Palace Hotel. As we came to the first passport control counter, some of the people began to talk with us.

They give us some propaganda material and photos showing the Greek Cypriot man who was climbing the flagpole to lower the Turkish flag.

I told them that in my opinion he was guilty, because nobody can lower a flag without paying a penalty.

Further on they told us that every tourist who enters the border to the TRNC has to pay one pound to the government, and with the money they buy weapons to kill the Greek Cypriot people. If you enter, you accept the TRNC, they said.

I told them I have no problem with this. But the demonstrators forced us not to go to the TRNC. Finally, I asked the policeman at the counter if the border was open or not: if it was open I wanted to go to the TRNC. Suddenly a Greek Cypriot woman ran up to the counter, because she had seen me speaking with the policeman. She was enraged and shouted at the man in a hysterical voice. I didn’t understand what she said, as it was in Greek.

Were the police sympathising with the demonstrators?

They must learn that about 30% of the people living on the island are Turkish. They have the right to live there as much as the Greek people. The solution is not enosis or Eoka. The solution can only be understanding each other, including the difference in culture. Talk together, not through the UN, but directly instead. In many discussions I had with schoolchildren they explained the Cyprus conflict to me as they were taught by their teachers - in a one-sided manner.

Hans Rapid,

Aristau, Switzerland

(Cyprus Mail, November 10, 1996)

CUSTODY FOR SHOPPING FROM PYLA

Greek Cypriot daily Alithia reported that the Greek Cypriot police stopped Kostas Theoharus, 44, while travelling on Pyla-Larnaca road and searched his car to find a bottle of whisky, chewing gum and a bunch of asparagus.

On his confession that he had bought them from a Turkish Cypriot’s shop in Pyla, he was remanded in custody and his shopping was seized by the police.

On the one hand the Greek Cypriots pay lipservice to cooperation between the two communities, while on the other hand they continue punishing shoppers from Pyla, the last mixed village on the island.

(Alithia, 28.1.1997)

FINE FOR SHOPPING FROM TURKS

According to Greek Cypriot daily Agon the Greek Cypriot police have searched the car belonging to Mrs. Joan Ter, 24, who is an English housewife living in South, the police have found some clothes and a bottle of liquor which were all bought from a Turkish Cypriot shop in Pyla. Mrs. Ter was fined 52 Cyprus pounds and the goods were confiscated by the Greek Cypriot Customs Office.

The paper also wrote that Mr. Satavein Vandim’s, 23, car was also searched. He was fined 50 Cyprus pounds for purchasing textiles from the Turkish Cypriot shop in Pyla. The textiles were confiscated by the Greek Cypriot customs.

(Agon, 4.2.1997)



FINED FOR SHOPPING

FROM A TURKISH CYPRIOT

Agon reported that Hristos Sofroniou, 25, was stopped by Greek Cypriot police on the Larnaca-Dhekelia high way and his car was searched.

The police have found two shirts and 3 pairs of jeans which were bought from a Turkish Cypriot owned shop from Pyla. He was fined 40 Cyprus pounds and the clothes were confiscated by the Larnaca customs office.

(Agon, 29.3.1997)

FINES FOR SHOPPING IN PYLA

ALITHIA of 3rd June 1997, reported that Panikos Pavlu was stopped at Ksilotimbu village by Greek Cypriot police, who on searching his car discovered clothes bought from a Turkish shop in Pyla.

The newspaper also reported that, a group of Greek Cypriot police have been specially appointed for this job.

Pavlu was fined 30 Cyprus Pounds by the so-called Greek Cypriot Customs Officials and the clothes were also confiscated.

(Alithia, 3.7.1997)

SHOPPING IN PYLA-A CRIME!

AGON of 8th July 1997 reported that, during the weekend specially trained Greek Cypriot police, who were carrying out controls in Pyla, arrested several people who had bought items from Turkish shops in Pyla.

Details of those arrested are as follows:

Jilian Scott, an English lady who lives in Larnaka. Goods to the value of 48 Cyprus Pounds were found in her car. The goods were confiscated and the case referred to the so-called Customs Authorities.

Panikos Antoniu from South Nicosia, was found to have goods worth 40 Cyprus Pounds. The goods were confiscated and a fine of 80 Cyprus Pounds imposed.

Panikos Simeu, from Aredyou village was arrested because he had bought a T-shirt. The T-shirt was confiscated and a fine of 10 Cyprus Pounds imposed.

Andreas Katsehos, from lower Lakatamia, was arrested after having bought a carton of cigarettes. The cigarettes were confiscated and a fine of 10 Cyprus Pounds imposed.

(Agon, 8.7.1997)

TURKISH CYPRIOTS IN PYLA

TERRORISED BY GREEK CYPRIOT BIKERS

CYPRUS MAIL of 17th July 1997 reported that, the Turkish Cypriots in the mixed village of Pyla are being terrorised by Greek Cypriot youths on mopeds. Waldemar Rokoszewski, the Unficyp spokesman stated that:

“Regretfully this is true”.

Rokoszewski also confirmed that he himself had witnessed the Greek Cypriot youths riding noisily around the village on their mopeds, and intentionally creating a lot of noise and terrorising the Turkish Cypriots in the mixed village of Pyla.

The Turkish Cypriot newspapers also reported that, on the night of 14 July 1997, the Greek Cypriot mobs attacked an elderly Turkish Cypriot woman, Nayir Rifat Çelebi, “who was saved with the help of her neighbours”.

Rokoszewski also stated that the UN is looking into the incident, as were Greek Cypriot police, and that “there is a problem, and it must be resolved.”

Pyla has often been depicted as a model in which Greek and Turkish Cypriots can live peacefully together but, these recent incidents have only increased tension in the village, and highlight the fact that the Greek Cypriot mobs will do anything to provoke the Turkish Cypriots.

Actions like this, do not make living in Pyla a model for the two Cypriot communities, it only shows the true face of the Greek Cypriots.

(Cyprus Mail, 17.7.1997)

SHOPPING IN PYLA STILL A CRIME

MAHI of 29 July 1997 reported that, specially trained Greek Cypriot police who were carrying out controls on the Pyla-Larnaca main road on the night of 26.7.1997, arrested two Greek Cypriots after clothes bought from a Turkish shop in Pyla were discovered in their car.

According to the newspaper, the two Greek Cypriots were fined 25 Cyprus Pounds, and the clothes were confiscated by Greek Cypriot Customs Officials.

(Mahi, 29.7.1997)

FINES FOR SHOPPING

IN PYLA CONTINUE

ALITHIA of 5 August 1997 reported that, specially trained Greek Cypriot police who were carrying out controls on the Pyla-Larnaca main road stopped Greek Cypriot A. Tumazl (who lives in England), and on searching the car found 2 T-shirts bought from a Turkish shop in Pyla. Tumazl, who admitted to buying the T-shirts was fined 20 Cyprus Pounds, and the T-shirts were confiscated by the Greek Cypriot police.

The newspaper also reported that, in another control 2 Swedish tourists were stopped by Greek Cypriot police and on searching the car goods bought from Turkish shops in Pyla were discovered.

The Swedish tourists were fined 10 Cyprus Pounds and the goods in question were confiscated.

(Alithia, 5.8.1997)



EMBARGOS CONTINUE

IN PYLA

The start of the second round of direct talks between the leader of the Greek Cypriot administration Glafcos Clerides and the Turkish Cypriot President Rauf Denktas still does not stop the embargoes in force in the mixed village of Pyla against the Turkish Cypriot people.

ALITHIA of 11 August 1997 reported that the controls carried out by specially trained Greek Cypriot police on the Pyla-Larnaca mainroad will continue in an attempt to prevent goods being bought from Turkish shops in Pyla.

According to the newspaper, Greek Cypriot police on the night of 9 August 1997, stopped two Greek Cypriots driving on the Pyla-Larnaca mainroad, and on searching the car found a T-shirt, bought for 7.50 Cyprus Pounds from a Turkish shop in Pyla.

The two Greek Cypriots were taken to Larnaca customs where they were fined 10 Cyprus Pounds, and the T-shirt was confiscated.

(Alithia, 11.8.1997)

EMBARGOES AGAINST

PYLA STILL IN FORCE

ALITHIA of 27 August 1997 reported that, Greek Cypriot police are still continuing their controls on the Pyla-Larnaca mainroad.

The newspaper reported that a 23 year-old Greek Cypriot was stopped by Greek Cypriot police on the Pyla-Larnaca mainroad on 25 August 1997 and on searching the car an Adidas T-shirt bought for 10 Cyprus Pounds from a Turkish shop was found.

The Greek Cypriot police confiscated the T-shirt and a fine of 10 Cyprus Pounds was imposed.

As long as these unjust embargoes against the Turkish Cypriots continue, it is evident that the real aims of the Greek Cypriots is not to find a solution but to achieve their well known desire ENOSIS.

(Alithia, 27.8.1997)

GREEK CYPRIOTS SHOP IN TURKISH SHOPS

IN PYLA, BUT ARE FINED

ALITHIA of 23 September 1997 reported that fines for shopping in Turkish shops in Pyla are still very much in force despite the fact that the Greek Cypriot administration say that they want peace.

According to the newspaper, specially trained Greek Cypriot police who were carrying out controls on the Larnaca-Pyla mainroad on 21 September 1997, stopped Greek Cypriot Kiriakos Kolinos (20) and on searching the car found a carton of cigarettes and an Addidas jogging suit. Kolinos admitted to buying the goods from a Turkish shop and was fined 30 Cyprus Pounds.

(Alithia, 23.9.1997)

TURKISH PROPERTIES

IN THE SOUTH

FILELEFTHEROS of 6 October 1997, reported that, Turkish Cypriot properties left in South Cyprus are being used by Greek Cypriots, who are not refugees and the Greek Cypriot administration is ignoring this fact, by not taking any legal action against those people.

The newspaper also reported, that the Greek Cypriots who are not refugees are obliged to pay a higher rent than those who are refugees. It is also stated that the rents are not updated according to the economic conditions, and thus remain very low. These rents are also not being collected efficiently, thus resulting in rents not being paid on time.

(Fileleftheros, 6.10.1997)



GREEK CYPRIOT OFFICIALS

OPPOSE TRADE LINKS WITH TRNC

FILELEFTHEROS of 10 October 1997 reported that, Greek Cypriot Finance Minister, Hristodulos Hristodulou in a press conference stated that, “there could be no business relationship between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots until a solution to the Cyprus problem is found”.

The newspaper also reported that, in a letter sent by the Greek Cypriot Human Rights Committee to Spiros Kyprianu, the head of the Greek Cypriot Assembly, legalizing trade between the TRNC and South Cyprus would never be accepted.

(Fileleftheros, 10.10.1997)

APPENDIX 6



Letter dated 29 August 1997 from

Mr. Aytuð Plümer

addressed to the Secretary-General



I have the honour to refer to the letter dated 21 August 1997 addressed to you by the Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations (A/51/964-S/1997/656).

The letter in question merely repeats the unfounded allegations contained in an earlier letter addressed to you by the Greek Cypriot representative at the United Nations (A/51/962/-S/1997/645) of 14 August 1997). These renewed allegations, as part of the ongoing campaign of defamation and misinformation against the Turkish Cypriot side, do not merit a new detailed reply, as they have already been emphatically refuted in our letter of 25 August 1997 addressed to you (A/51/966-S/1997/666). It would suffice to say that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus takes pride in its continuous efforts to protect the cultural heritage of Northern Cyprus, utilizing its limited resources in the most effective way in maintaining and restoring all sites and monuments, irrespective of their historical and religious origins. This is in stark contrast to the anachronistic policies of the Greek Cypriot administration and of Greece, where the Turkish Muslim community in western Thrace continues to be subjected to persecution and discrimination by the Greek authorities, and Turkish monuments are deliberately destroyed.

It is hypocritical that the Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations should level false accusations against the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on the subject of protection of cultural heritage, when it is a well-known fact that Greece itself is engaged in a policy of forcible assimilation of the Turkish minority in western Thrace, coupled with systematic pillaging and obliteration of Turkish monuments. Almost all of the Ottoman Turkish monuments, shrines and relics have either been wilfully destroyed, desecrated or left to disintegrate. The basic rights of the Turkish Muslim community, including the freedoms of worship and education, which are guaranteed under international treaties, continue to be denied and violated by the Greek authorities. They are denied even the basic right to elect their own religious leaders. Religious officials from Turkey are barred from entry to western Thrace, even for the duration of the holy month of Ramadan. We note with profound indignation that such a policy of systematic discrimination, suppression and persecution of the Turkish community in western Thrace can be perpetrated openly and unabatedly by Greece, a State member of the European Union, in defiance of international agreements and all norms of justice. As the Turkish Cypriot side, we cannot help but remind all concerned of the deplorable conditions in which the Turks of Greece have found themselves today.

Greece cannot escape responsibility for these actions by making false complaints against the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and by trying to project a distorted image of the current situation on the island.

I should be grateful if you would have the present letter circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda item 58, and of the Security Council.

Aytuð PLÜMER

Representative

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

List of mosques and Muslim shrines destroyed or damaged

by Greek Cypriots until 20 July 1974

Ömerge Mosque
Bayraktar Mosque
Tahtakala Mosque
Araplar Mosque
Dükkanlar Önü Mosque
Zeytinlik Mosque
Aþaðý Deftera Mosque
Aþaðý Lakadamya Mosque
Türkeli Mosque
Küçük Kaymaklý Mosque
Yýlmazköy Mosque
Dereliköy Mosque
Erenköy Mosque
Gaziler Mosque
Dereli Mosque
Demirhan Mosque
Minareliköy Mosque
Matyat Mosque
Madenliköy Mosque
Katalyonda Mosque
Somolof Mosque
Akaca Mosque
Güzelyurt Mosque
Orunda Mosque
Peristerona Mosque
Denya Mosque
Kurtboðan Mosque
Bozdað Mosque
Flasu Mosque
Mansur Mosque
Dali Mosque
Solya Mosque
Eylence Mosque
Balýkesir Mosque
Arpalýk Mosque
Aybifan Mosque
Mamundali Mosque
Ceyhan Mosque
Yuvalý Mosque
Ovalýk Mosque
Çatalköy Mosque
Beţparmak Mosque
Lapta Mosque
Kömürcü Mosque
Karþýyaka Mosque
Tepebaþý Mosque
Ţirinevler Mosque
Hz. Ömer Shrine Mosque
Girne Mosque
Aða Cafer Pasha Mosque
Acemzade Mecidi Mosque
Zahuri Mosque
Koraku Mosque
Aredyu Mosque
Gürpýnar Mosque
Linu Mosque
Yaðmuralan Mosque
Süleymaniye Mosque
Selçuklu Mosque
Kuzucuk Mosque
Çayýrova Mosque
Mutluyaka Mosque
Paţaköy Mosque
Alaniçi (Magosa) Mosque
Geçitkale (Magosa) Mosque
Adaçay Mosque
Boðaztepe Mosque
Pýnarlý Mosque
Atlýlar Mosque
Bahçalar (Yeni Ýskele) Mosque
Yedikonuk Mosque
Elmalý Mosque
Taþlýca Mosque
Ceylân Mosque
Alsandik Mosque
Yerovasý Mosque
Baðlarbaþý Mosque
Silifke Mosque
Çeliktaţ (Limasol) Mosque
Baf Mosque
Eledyu Mosque
Amarget Mosque
Aktepe Mosque
Akkargi Mosque
Poli Mosque
Hulu Mosque
Girittera Mosque
Olukönü Mosque
Çýnarlý Mosque
Aþaðý Baf Mosque
Haci Mehmet Tekke Mosque
Turabi Mosque and Shrine
Düzova (Larnaka) Mosque
Akkor Mosque
Aksu Mosque
Maroni Mosque
Kalavason Mosque
Lefkara Mosque
Çamlýbel (Larnaka) Mosque
Akhisar Mosque
Ummu Haram Mosque
Aplenda Mosque
Alâ-tirke Mosque


http://www.tcn-cy.freeuk.com/egmez.htm
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2000/eur/722.htm
http://www.usemb.se/human/human1998/cyprus.html
http://www.terrorismcentral.com/Library ... yprus.html



mikkie,

As you know I've never denied the human rights violations of GC community both the ones who live in North and South but unfortuantely you still insist on ignoring the human rights violations of TCs both living in North and South.


You said TCs who were "forced" to abandon their homes in South, in 1975 were crying because of they were forced to leave their homes in South. First of all, majority of those TCs were women, children and old men. They couldn't flee to North because of the fear of being shot by National Guard, Eldik or GC paramilitaries. They were helplessly waiting in the South either their men's to come home or to flee to North. On the day they have taken from their homes in South in order to brought to North, they were crying because of the happiness of rejoining their loved ones in a secure area.


How many innocent civilian TCs were killed by GC paramilitaries and some group of GC villagers in August 1974? How many TC villages were destroyed together with its total population in August 1974? How many GC villages destroyed together with its total population by TCs or Turkish army during the intervention of 1974?



The national guard comprise of tens of thousands of GCs and partisan pro-coupist politicians, civilians didn't hold their guns towards the coupists to stop them.To the contrary of this they applauded and encouraged them to overthrow Makarios and kill everyone who are against Enosis. But when the Turkish troops arrived in order to protect TCs and put a full stop this neverending bloody stupid story. The ones who didn't hold their guns towards the Greek invaders and their local collaborators, held their guns towards the Turkish troops. Did you expect Turkish troops to bring them flowers?


Another question to you mikkie and also to whom it may concern about:

It is a fact that 5 TC villages together with their total population destroyed by GC paramilitaries and some group of GCs. During those days what percent of GC community was in spiteful feeling towards TCs? If the TCs who were "forced" to migrate to the North had refused to leave their homes would they be ensured about their lives. How would they feel themselves psychologically under the circumstances? What dgree of retaliation danger they were under, in those days before being brought to North?

I'm not blaming the entire GC community. I'm blaming the firm partisans of the coup, Enosis and the coupists who have been the main cause of the disaster. I also condemn Turkish ruling elite because of violation of 3rd Viennan Agreement.