Cyprus-Forum.com

[insan]

Embargoed! AGM condemns EU and UK for maintaining ‘apartheid in Cyprus’ - 08 April 2009
Human Rights group Embargoed! held its Annual General Meeeting (AGM) this week, where members were given a report of the previous years activities and a new committee was elected. The membership also heard a keynote address from Councillor Meral Ece OBE. With a diverse and growing support base, re-elected chair Fevzi Hussein stated that the year ahead would see the group ”increase the pressure against the British Government and European Union to end apartheid in Cyprus”.

The AGM, held on Monday night at central London’s renowned Salieri restaurant, was attended by members and supporters travelling from as far afield as Leicestershire to hear about Embargoed!’s lobbying activities. Special guest speaker Cllr Meral Ece OBE praised the group for its pro-active campaign work and hoped more Turkish Cypriots would follow suit, stating that “only by participating within the UK’s political mainstream could the community make its presence felt”. She expressed her anger at how the British government and even some UK Turkish politicians were seeking to suppress and censor peaceful protest, and urged Embargoed! and its supporters to step up their actions in the run-up to the June European elections.

Chair Fevzi Hussein addressed the AGM stating that, “Embargoed! has continued to lead from the front with its colourful, intelligent campaigns during the last 12 months. Our battle to get the embargoes lifted is into its 5th year, although Turkish Cypriots have been internationally isolated for 45 years. We refuse to accept the hypocrisy and double-standards the EU and UK apply. Our people have had enough. We are angry and our campaigns will continue to challenge those who defend apartheid in Cyprus.”

Following the keynote speeches, a new executive committee was elected in. Fevzi Hussein was re-elected to the position of Chairperson, with Ismail Veli and Cahit Akin returned as the Community Relations Officer and Treasurer respectively. The elections saw the appointment of two new faces this year, with Emel Djevdet taking up the post of Secretary and Cansu Kucuk assuming responsibility for fundraising..

An important policy decision was unanimously endorsed at the AGM. The motion calls on the incoming TRNC government to make the end of the embargoes a priority that is not tied to the outcome of the current talks between the two Cypriot sides . This is in line with Embargoed!’s campaign mandate, which calls on the embargoes to be lifted “immediately and unconditionally” so that the fundamental rights of Turkish Cypriots are restored.

http://www.embargoed.org/

[Sotos]

You probably mean Human Rights Violators group. Embargo is the least punishment these criminals should get. It should have been life in prison instead!

[The Cypriot]

Embargoed! AGM condemns EU and UK for maintaining ‘apartheid in Cyprus’ - 08 April 2009
Human Rights group Embargoed! held its Annual General Meeeting (AGM) this week,

What's this? A 'Human Rights Group'? At last. A human rights group for Cypriots. Perhaps refugees in the south should join and enlist Embargoed!'s help - for they too are "embargoed" from their homes in the north by 40,000 overseas troops.

With a diverse and growing support base,

How wonderful! This surely must mean Cypriots of all backgrounds, and their friends, are getting together in numbers to secure human rights for all the people of Cyprus.

re-elected chair Fevzi Hussein stated that the year ahead would see the group ”increase the pressure against the British Government and European Union to end apartheid in Cyprus”.

Hang on a minute! Now I'm confused. Isn't there another country that has an even bigger role to play in ending apartheid and human rights abuses in Cyprus? Why isn't this country mentioned above?

The AGM, held on Monday night at central London’s renowned Salieri restaurant, was attended by members and supporters travelling from as far afield as Leicestershire

Leicestershire. Now that is a long way.

Special guest speaker Cllr Meral Ece OBE ... expressed her anger at how the British government and even some UK Turkish politicians were seeking to suppress and censor peaceful protest,

Hang on a minute! Now I'm confused. Why would anyone want to suppress and censor peaceful protest? And a UK Turkish politician to boot, whose nation has such a proud history of tolerance towards minority groups exercising their freedom of speech. Surely there must be some mistake here.

and urged Embargoed! and its supporters to step up their actions in the run-up to the June European elections.

Chair Fevzi Hussein addressed the AGM stating that, “Embargoed! has continued to lead from the front with its colourful, intelligent campaigns

If their communications were intelligent I wouldn't be wasting my time dismantling them.

during the last 12 months. Our battle to get the embargoes lifted is into its 5th year,

Five years? Five years battling an inhuman embargo? And no results? Surely the battle strategy is fundamentally flawed.

although Turkish Cypriots have been internationally isolated for 45 years.
We refuse to accept the hypocrisy and double-standards the EU and UK apply.

Although they have absolutely nothing to say about Turkey's role or its hypocrisy and double-standards. And if they refuse to accept the EU/UK's hypocrisy and double-standards what are the proposed actions? Sue? Revolt? Stop paying taxes? I think we should be told!

Our people have had enough.

While other Cypriots want to remain refugees forever!

We are angry and our campaigns will continue to challenge those who defend apartheid in Cyprus.”

Nothing like a bit of aggressive table-slapping to get the British sympathetic to your cause.

Following the keynote speeches, a new executive committee was elected in. Fevzi Hussein was re-elected to the position of Chairperson, with Ismail Veli and Cahit Akin returned as the Community Relations Officer and Treasurer respectively. The elections saw the appointment of two new faces this year, with Emel Djevdet taking up the post of Secretary and Cansu Kucuk assuming responsibility for fundraising..

Lots of diverse sounding names here... representative of Cypriots from a wide range of backgrounds, as well as individuals from the wider community. Guaranteed to help in the battle to be taken seriously by the British.

An important policy decision was unanimously endorsed at the AGM. The motion calls on the incoming TRNC government to make the end of the embargoes a priority that is not tied to the outcome of the current talks between the two Cypriot sides.

I'm sure this is something Talat will be able to secure easily if he asks Christofias nicely.

is in line with Embargoed!’s campaign mandate, which calls on the embargoes to be lifted “immediately and unconditionally” so that the fundamental rights of Turkish Cypriots are restored.

But the human rights of other Cypriots who also happen to be human are none of their concern. Which is why, as a 'human rights group', Embargoed! has been pissing in the wind for five years... And long may they continue!

[insan]

Embargoed! AGM condemns EU and UK for maintaining ‘apartheid in Cyprus’ - 08 April 2009
Human Rights group Embargoed! held its Annual General Meeeting (AGM) this week,

What's this? A 'Human Rights Group'? At last. A human rights group for Cypriots. Perhaps refugees in the south should join and enlist Embargoed!'s help - for they too are "embargoed" from their homes in the north by 40,000 overseas troops.

With a diverse and growing support base,

How wonderful! This surely must mean Cypriots of all backgrounds, and their friends, are getting together in numbers to secure human rights for all the people of Cyprus.

re-elected chair Fevzi Hussein stated that the year ahead would see the group ”increase the pressure against the British Government and European Union to end apartheid in Cyprus”.

Hang on a minute! Now I'm confused. Isn't there another country that has an even bigger role to play in ending apartheid and human rights abuses in Cyprus? Why isn't this country mentioned above?

The AGM, held on Monday night at central London’s renowned Salieri restaurant, was attended by members and supporters travelling from as far afield as Leicestershire

Leicestershire. Now that is a long way.

Special guest speaker Cllr Meral Ece OBE ... expressed her anger at how the British government and even some UK Turkish politicians were seeking to suppress and censor peaceful protest,

Hang on a minute! Now I'm confused. Why would anyone want to suppress and censor peaceful protest? And a UK Turkish politician to boot, whose nation has such a proud history of tolerance towards minority groups exercising their freedom of speech. Surely there must be some mistake here.

and urged Embargoed! and its supporters to step up their actions in the run-up to the June European elections.

Chair Fevzi Hussein addressed the AGM stating that, “Embargoed! has continued to lead from the front with its colourful, intelligent campaigns

If their communications were intelligent I wouldn't be wasting my time dismantling them.

during the last 12 months. Our battle to get the embargoes lifted is into its 5th year,

Five years? Five years battling an inhuman embargo? And no results? Surely the battle strategy is fundamentally flawed.

although Turkish Cypriots have been internationally isolated for 45 years.
We refuse to accept the hypocrisy and double-standards the EU and UK apply.

Although they have absolutely nothing to say about Turkey's role or its hypocrisy and double-standards. And if they refuse to accept the EU/UK's hypocrisy and double-standards what are the proposed actions? Sue? Revolt? Stop paying taxes? I think we should be told!

Our people have had enough.

While other Cypriots want to remain refugees forever!

We are angry and our campaigns will continue to challenge those who defend apartheid in Cyprus.”

Nothing like a bit of aggressive table-slapping to get the British sympathetic to your cause.

Following the keynote speeches, a new executive committee was elected in. Fevzi Hussein was re-elected to the position of Chairperson, with Ismail Veli and Cahit Akin returned as the Community Relations Officer and Treasurer respectively. The elections saw the appointment of two new faces this year, with Emel Djevdet taking up the post of Secretary and Cansu Kucuk assuming responsibility for fundraising..

Lots of diverse sounding names here... representative of Cypriots from a wide range of backgrounds, as well as individuals from the wider community. Guaranteed to help in the battle to be taken seriously by the British.

An important policy decision was unanimously endorsed at the AGM. The motion calls on the incoming TRNC government to make the end of the embargoes a priority that is not tied to the outcome of the current talks between the two Cypriot sides.

I'm sure this is something Talat will be able to secure easily if he asks Christofias nicely.

is in line with Embargoed!’s campaign mandate, which calls on the embargoes to be lifted “immediately and unconditionally” so that the fundamental rights of Turkish Cypriots are restored.

But the human rights of other Cypriots who also happen to be human are none of their concern. Which is why, as a 'human rights group', Embargoed! has been pissing in the wind for five years... And long may they continue!

The Cypriot,

Plz don't ignore the facts... All or nothing stance of GC leadership backed by some Greek political groups led us into current situation. Now u ask TC community forget and forgive all abt the past return their homes(If they find any) and lands in South, accept minority status and let the so-called democracy and human rights be restored. Does it sound feasible or possible to u?

If u do a good research, examine and judge the events without bias u will understand that afterwards 1964 the so-called RoC recognized by "whole world" just to keep Greece in Nato for the interests of western alliance. Embargoes were/are unjust and it didn't/doesn't help reconciliation. To the contrary of that it fed TC anger, revenge feelings and seperatist thoughts to a greater extend.

[The Cypriot]

Plz don't ignore the facts...

I try not to insan = although I have discovered Cyprus remains a problem because it is less about facts, and more about perspectives.

All or nothing stance of GC leadership backed by some Greek political groups led us into current situation.

I have been critical of them, in the past. But are you saying to me that those which Embargoed! supposedly represents (and is supposedly back by) are without blame?

And if you are, do you think anyone really believes you? esp, the British?

Now u ask TC community forget and forgive

I don't ask the 'community', I ask you, and each individual, as a human being, to move forward instead of forever being stuck in the past; stuck in a perspective.

all abt the past return their homes(If they find any) and lands in South, accept minority status and let the so-called democracy and human rights be restored. Does it sound feasible or possible to u?

I'm looking for ways we can move forward together. Does Embargoed! really stand for human rights? If only TCs are considered human? And the rights of other Cypriots are ignored? Does this sound feasible or possible to you?

If u do a good research, examine and judge the events without bias

What, you mean like you do? Like Embargoed! does?

u will understand that afterwards 1964 the so-called RoC recognized by "whole world" just to keep Greece in Nato for the interests of western alliance.

1964? That was an age ago. In 1939 Germany and France were at war. By 1951, they had already 'forgiven and forgotten' and had set up The European Coal and Steel Community, the precursor to the EU.

Embargoes were/are unjust and it didn't/doesn't help reconciliation.

And nor does 40,000 troops preventing people from returning home help reconciliation. Does Embargoed! want reconciliation? Or to keep fighting a war? For another 35 years?

To the contrary of that it fed TC anger, revenge feelings and seperatist thoughts to a greater extend.

We can see that. The question is, does Embargoed! exist for anger, revenge and separation? Or for the restoration of human rights, as they claim?

[The Cypriot]

And BTW, this headline:

AGM condemns EU and UK for maintaining ‘apartheid in Cyprus’

is simply laugable.

No EU/UK politician, journalist or anyone with an objective interest in Cyprus can possibly take it or Embargoed! seriously. And this clearly includes seasoned 'UK Turkish politicians'!

Only a section of the UK TC community – those still blinded by bitterness, anger and hatred – are likely to respond positively to this release.

But their response will do nothing to advance the cause of human rights in Cyprus.

[MrH]

Sotos Wrote:

You probably mean Human Rights Violators group. Embargo is the least punishment these criminals should get. It should have been life in prison instead!

Were you referring to your Coupists in 1974-15th July for killing hundreds of members of the Cyprus National Guard and then trying to falsely blame Turkey, or for the many current members of the Cyprus GC-establishment who have filtered unpunished for their war crimes as well? Or have these people been forgotten about? Funny how your people have forgiven their own fascist leaders and have been brainwashed into believing the entire Cyprus conflict was a result of the 1974 Turkish Intervention!

I bet one of those EOKA War Criminals are actually the local GC MP of your family's village?

I wonder why the GC-administration in Cyprus has never actually, REALLY, pushed for the sentencing and a FULL SCALE investigation of war crimes in Cyprus from 1955 (against the British, Turkish Cypriots and also many of their own Greek Cypriots)?

The argument is never ending.

[Oracle]

And BTW, this headline:

AGM condemns EU and UK for maintaining ‘apartheid in Cyprus’

is simply laugable.

Please show a little respect, The Cypriot! Did you not see where it was held:

The AGM, held on Monday night at central London’s renowned Salieri restaurant

... whose interior is described as:

"... equally compelling with décor of puppets, mirrors, masks, theatrical memorabilia and photographs."
(Coventgardenlife)


But one un-Embargoed couple were minuted as none too happy about the casual disregard of their 'Eating Rights':


"It was a while before we were asked what we would like to drink. My wife wanted the house wine, but strangely the waiter was unable to tell us what that a glass of wine would cost exactly ("somewhere around 4 pounds, 4 pounds 50"). Drinks did arrive quickly, but then they just left us sitting there while we were ready to order. At last, one of the waiters came to take our order.

It did take about 20 minutes for the food to arive. While nicely presented, the food was not too hot and did cool off very quickly. The vegetables were not fully cooked (appears to be the fashion these days) and quite tasteless. My wife's salmon was good, not great. My steak was not that good, the meat simply was not like you'd expect for that price. And the pepper sauce.. well.. ordinary gravy with some peppers in it...

For desert, my wife had the Tiramisu i believe, and I had the Panne Cotta. Both were not great.

After that we decided we wanted to leave quickly, and I asked for the bill. It took a few minutes, but it eventually got to our table. On the bill they charged us 2 pounds extra for beef (which came as a complete surprise as this is nowhere (at least not clearly) on the menu), and 12.5% for service!!!

By that time I was ready to make a scene, but my wife did not want me to. We put the money in the bill holder, and waited for it to be picked up. That again took some time, and I was getting more and more annoyed. After I "reminded" a waiter he picked it up, but then he proceded to the cash register and just put it there, with us waiting for the return money!! After again something like 5 minutes, with me getting increasingly (probably visibly) annoyed at the place, a waiter stopped by our table and asked if everything was OK. I restisted the urge to grab him by his neck, but told him we were waiting for our money back. After a few minutes passed, we finaly got our money back. But.. where was the receipt?? We got up, and as my wife walked out I went to the cash registed to ask for our receipt!

Service: Too lazy, not paying attention.

Atmosphere: After the above, does it matter?

Bottom line: Avoid!!"
(London-eating)


Which pretty much sums up the state of affairs in the occupied territories; and I vote they stay "embargoed" until such time as they stop holding the whole island to ransom to feed their selfish un-humane demands with complete disregard for the rest of the Island's users!

[Omer Seyhan]

Embargoed! AGM condemns EU and UK for maintaining ‘apartheid in Cyprus’ - 08 April 2009
Human Rights group Embargoed! held its Annual General Meeeting (AGM) this week, where members were given a report of the previous years activities and a new committee was elected. The membership also heard a keynote address from Councillor Meral Ece OBE. With a diverse and growing support base, re-elected chair Fevzi Hussein stated that the year ahead would see the group ”increase the pressure against the British Government and European Union to end apartheid in Cyprus”.

The AGM, held on Monday night at central London’s renowned Salieri restaurant, was attended by members and supporters travelling from as far afield as Leicestershire to hear about Embargoed!’s lobbying activities. Special guest speaker Cllr Meral Ece OBE praised the group for its pro-active campaign work and hoped more Turkish Cypriots would follow suit, stating that “only by participating within the UK’s political mainstream could the community make its presence felt”. She expressed her anger at how the British government and even some UK Turkish politicians were seeking to suppress and censor peaceful protest, and urged Embargoed! and its supporters to step up their actions in the run-up to the June European elections.

Chair Fevzi Hussein addressed the AGM stating that, “Embargoed! has continued to lead from the front with its colourful, intelligent campaigns during the last 12 months. Our battle to get the embargoes lifted is into its 5th year, although Turkish Cypriots have been internationally isolated for 45 years. We refuse to accept the hypocrisy and double-standards the EU and UK apply. Our people have had enough. We are angry and our campaigns will continue to challenge those who defend apartheid in Cyprus.”

Following the keynote speeches, a new executive committee was elected in. Fevzi Hussein was re-elected to the position of Chairperson, with Ismail Veli and Cahit Akin returned as the Community Relations Officer and Treasurer respectively. The elections saw the appointment of two new faces this year, with Emel Djevdet taking up the post of Secretary and Cansu Kucuk assuming responsibility for fundraising..

An important policy decision was unanimously endorsed at the AGM. The motion calls on the incoming TRNC government to make the end of the embargoes a priority that is not tied to the outcome of the current talks between the two Cypriot sides . This is in line with Embargoed!’s campaign mandate, which calls on the embargoes to be lifted “immediately and unconditionally” so that the fundamental rights of Turkish Cypriots are restored.

http://www.embargoed.org/

LOL

And I though Human rights is a right for ALL Cypriots to enjoy. Silly me. Aparentently we have 'Greek Cypriot Human Rights' or 'Turkish Cypriot Human Rights' as if they are separate. Embargoed has lost the meaning of human rights.

What embargoes? There are no embargoes on the TRNC because there is no recognition of the TRNC upon which any country can impose an embargo. Embargoed! should come clean and admit that what they really desire is TRNC recognition or an upgrade in the TRNC's status abroad like Taiwan.

Instead this group exploits already angry Turkish Cypriots getting them to blame Greek Cypriots for everything. Its very manipulative and unpleasant, and actually hinders reconciliation between both communities.

But hey, before I spill my coffee, I'm sure nobody takes these amateurs seriously in our community... After all they are just another 'Lobby for Cyprus'... short-sighted and one-sided.

[insan]

Embargoed! AGM condemns EU and UK for maintaining ‘apartheid in Cyprus’ - 08 April 2009
Human Rights group Embargoed! held its Annual General Meeeting (AGM) this week, where members were given a report of the previous years activities and a new committee was elected. The membership also heard a keynote address from Councillor Meral Ece OBE. With a diverse and growing support base, re-elected chair Fevzi Hussein stated that the year ahead would see the group ”increase the pressure against the British Government and European Union to end apartheid in Cyprus”.

The AGM, held on Monday night at central London’s renowned Salieri restaurant, was attended by members and supporters travelling from as far afield as Leicestershire to hear about Embargoed!’s lobbying activities. Special guest speaker Cllr Meral Ece OBE praised the group for its pro-active campaign work and hoped more Turkish Cypriots would follow suit, stating that “only by participating within the UK’s political mainstream could the community make its presence felt”. She expressed her anger at how the British government and even some UK Turkish politicians were seeking to suppress and censor peaceful protest, and urged Embargoed! and its supporters to step up their actions in the run-up to the June European elections.

Chair Fevzi Hussein addressed the AGM stating that, “Embargoed! has continued to lead from the front with its colourful, intelligent campaigns during the last 12 months. Our battle to get the embargoes lifted is into its 5th year, although Turkish Cypriots have been internationally isolated for 45 years. We refuse to accept the hypocrisy and double-standards the EU and UK apply. Our people have had enough. We are angry and our campaigns will continue to challenge those who defend apartheid in Cyprus.”

Following the keynote speeches, a new executive committee was elected in. Fevzi Hussein was re-elected to the position of Chairperson, with Ismail Veli and Cahit Akin returned as the Community Relations Officer and Treasurer respectively. The elections saw the appointment of two new faces this year, with Emel Djevdet taking up the post of Secretary and Cansu Kucuk assuming responsibility for fundraising..

An important policy decision was unanimously endorsed at the AGM. The motion calls on the incoming TRNC government to make the end of the embargoes a priority that is not tied to the outcome of the current talks between the two Cypriot sides . This is in line with Embargoed!’s campaign mandate, which calls on the embargoes to be lifted “immediately and unconditionally” so that the fundamental rights of Turkish Cypriots are restored.

http://www.embargoed.org/

LOL

And I though Human rights is a right for ALL Cypriots to enjoy. Silly me. Aparentently we have 'Greek Cypriot Human Rights' or 'Turkish Cypriot Human Rights' as if they are separate. Embargoed has lost the meaning of human rights.

What embargoes? There are no embargoes on the TRNC because there is no recognition of the TRNC upon which any country can impose an embargo. Embargoed! should come clean and admit that what they really desire is TRNC recognition or an upgrade in the TRNC's status abroad like Taiwan.

Instead this group exploits already angry Turkish Cypriots getting them to blame Greek Cypriots for everything. Its very manipulative and unpleasant, and actually hinders reconciliation between both communities.

But hey, before I spill my coffee, I'm sure nobody takes these amateurs seriously in our community... After all they are just another 'Lobby for Cyprus'... short-sighted and one-sided.

Omer, u have a conventional mind set. During 1963-67 there was no TRNC but there were embargoes on TC community. During 1975-1983, there was no TRNC but there were embargoes on TC community.

If there has been no embargoes on TC community most probably KTFD would have maintained and TC community have had a strong economic structure, brain power, proper socio-political order, socio-psychological mood etc. These positive elements would give self-confidence to TC community and contribute the reconciliation process.

Since 1963, there r no embargoes for GC products that have been cultivated on TC land. Neither the roads, hotels, touristic establishments, airport etc built on TC land r embargoed. Is it fair?

Omer, maybe u don't take seriously those people who struggle to have the embargoes lifted but vast majority of TCs took them seriously and wish embargoes lifted on TC community.

What's ur suggestions to TC community? Consent to embargoes for another 45 or 100 years until a solution is found?