Front Page Headlines
‘It was like a nightmare’
The last Covid-19 patient Zekai Gece who was discharged from hospital and his wife Şerife Gece who also recovered from the virus spoke to Yenidüzen. They told their story of how they contracted the virus and their time in hospital recovering from the virus.
- Call for dialogue in Cyprus against pandemic by Guterres
- A message that “Sinem is not alone” from 168 lawyers – Female lawyers raise their voice against violence against women.
- It’s spewing poison – Pollution and risk of illness are what remains from the fire which broke out at a scrapyard in Haspolat (Mia Milia).
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Huge damage
Smoke continues to rise at the scrapyard in Haspolat (Mia Milia) following Wednesday’s fire. The cooling efforts have been going on for three days. Experts point out to the lack of any supervision at scrapyards and warn that fumes or smoke from the fire could cause serious harm to people’s health and the environment. Doğan Sahir, General Secretary of Green Peace Movement, said that engine oil in scrap-cars had leaked as a result of the fire and was now contaminating the underground water resources. Mustafa Kofalı from the Biologists’ Association, argued that the smoke from the fire could cause cancer and other respiratory illnesses. The cause of the fire has not been determined yet. It has also emerged there is no legislation concerning scrapyards or control similar places.
- The public sector returning to normal working hours – The cabinet adopted a series of decisions. The public sector will return to their normal working hours. It has become easier for the citizens to withdraw some of their deposits from the Provident Fund. Special education centres for children with special needs will resume their work as of May 18. Hairdressers, beauty salons, restaurants and cafes will open on May 20. The night-time curfew hours were also changed and will start from 10 pm until 6 am the next morning. The kindergartens will reopen from 1 June onwards.
The request for support is being evaluated
United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres also responded to President Mustafa Akıncı’s letter following the World Bank and the European Union. Guterres welcomed the support given by Akıncı to his earlier call for a global ceasefire in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and said he was encouraged by the positive response he received to his call from various world leaders. He added that everyone can and should do more to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic. The UNSG explained that his call for a global ceasefire was not only aimed at areas where conflicts continued actively but also at opposing sides in contracted conflicts to encourage them to urgently address and resolve their differences. Guterres expressed the view that settling disagreements and cooperating was the only way possible to deal with the pandemic. He also encouraged the two leaders to work on finding new ways to build trust and confidence between the two communities and to work on reaching an agreement on facilitating the reopening of the crossing points once the health situation on both sides stabilized. He added the Turkish Cypriot side’s request for financial and technical support has been noted. “The UN will continue to evaluate the possible options,” Guterres said, adding that he remains in touch with his Special Representative Elizabeth Spehar in Cyprus.
- The latest situation: North 108 cases, four deaths; South 907 cases, 24 deaths; Turkey 144,749 cases, 4,007 deaths.
- Here are the new decisions adopted by the cabinet – Following a seven-hour long meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Kudret Özersay announced the decisions taken at the cabinet meeting, which was chaired by Prime Minister Ersin Tatar.
- A three-phased plan – Tolga Atakan, Minister of Public Works and Communication revealed that a three-phased structure was envisioned for entries into the north. On the first phase, the citizens with permanent residence in the north will start returning to the north from June 1 onwards. In the second phase, those without a permanent residence in the north will be allowed to return and in the third phase those, who are not citizens but have established a life in the north will be allowed to return.
We have opened up
Coronavirus restrictions and measures becoming a thing of the past after no new cases emerge in North Cyprus. The night-time curfew for the next five days is between 10 pm and 6 am and from midnight to 6 pm as of Wednesday. It will be possible to pay overdue rents for April and May in six months. Public servants return to work. Barbers, hairdressers, beauty salons, cafes, patisseries and restaurants are opening on May 20. Daycare centres will start operating on June 1.
Is he going back to his job at the Municipality?
Mayor of Büyükkonuk (Komi Kebir) Municipality Ahmet Sennaroğlu, who was arrested on fraud charges, was released on bail after paying ₺7,500 (€975). The court also released Halil Sennaroğlu on bail of ₺5,000 (€650). Additionally, two citizens signed a bail bond worth ₺100,000 (€12,987) for the Sennaroğlu brothers. Moreover, the brothers will have to check in with the nearest police station once a week to appear in person. The public is now wondering whether or not Ahmet Sennaroğlu will be dismissed from his position as the mayor.
- Crossings to the south not prohibited – Yet another lie was revealed. The Greek Cypriot Interior Minister Nicos Nouris denied claims that a Greek Cypriot woman’s request to cross to the south from the Metehan (Agios Dometios) crossing point had been denied. Nouris added: “The woman like the previous two times, decided not to cross on her own will.”
- The hours of the night-time curfew changed – The cabinet adopted a new set of decisions. The night-time curfew will be from 10 pm to 6 am as of today (Friday) and from midnight to 6 am from May 20 onwards. Restaurants, cafes and patisseries will be opened on May 20 together with barbers, hairdressers and beauty salons. Kindergartens will open on 1 June.
- 168 Lawyers and the Human Rights Committee of the Turkish Cypriot Bar Association raised their voice against domestic violence.
Main News
UNSG welcomes leaders’ efforts, expects joint agreement on reopening crossing points
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Negotiations Process, CBMs, Internal Security, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
The UN Secretary-General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres on Thursday welcomed the contact and sharing of information between the two leaders in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, a statement from President Akıncı’s office said.
Guterres also said he expected the two leaders to agree on arrangements for the reopening of the crossing points as soon as the health situation stabilised.
In a letter addressed to Akıncı, Guterres expressed satisfaction at the fact that Akıncı and the Greek Cypriot Nicos Anastasiades had agreed to be in contact, as well as to cooperate and exchange information in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Noting that in order to overcome the problems stemming from the pandemic across the island, initiatives with cooperation, dialogue and coordination were needed, Guterres said that the Bicommunal Technical Committee on Health was the main communication channel during the crisis.
He encouraged the two leaders, however, to strengthen the other bicommunal technical committees to contribute to the broader fight against the coronavirus.
Guterres also urged the leaders to find additional ways to build trust between the two communities, noting that he expected a joint agreement on arranging for the opening of crossing points as soon as the health situation on the island stabilized.
The UNSG also encouraged the leaders to work closely with his representative in Cyprus, Elizabeth Spehar, on all issues.
The Secretary-General also said that he was aware there were contacts with Spehar for financial and technical support to the Turkish Cypriot community and that he had noted the request for support, reassuring that the UN would continue to evaluate possible options to enable this support.
Meanwhile, the Bicommunal Peace Initiative on Thursday said that the reopening of the crossing points should be seen as the beginning of a new era of cooperation.
The initiative, in a written statement, urged the two leaders to seize the Covid-19 pandemic as a catalyser to bring the two communities together.
“We call upon the leaders of the two communities to immediately take steps to open the crossing points demonstrating in this way their commitment for positive progress and a renewed momentum for a united Cyprus,” the statement read.
The statement referred to the gradual reopening processes on both sides of the island and the easing down of the restrictions and limitations.
It also drew attention to those whose lives have been disrupted due to the closure of the crossing points.
“Relations between the two communities have rekindled since the opening of the first crossing point in 2003 and in the period that followed, gradually establishing new bonds and ties as well as creating new possibilities for collaboration. This has been severely disrupted by the closing of crossing points,” the statement noted, adding that the latest figures showed that the outbreak on the island was coming to an end.
“There is no evidence of any increased risk from crossing from one side to the other as long as the same measures are implemented all across the island,” the statement said.
The initiative also reminded that the bicommunal technical committee on health tasked by the two leaders could swiftly act in the event of any negative developments and implement the necessary measures. “Genuine cooperation and day to day joint monitoring of the implementation of decisions taken are essential to properly combating the pandemic,” the statement concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Guterres (UN)
>> Contact & sharing of information between two leaders against the Covid-19 pandemic pleasing.
>> It is necessary to launching initiatives in cooperation & dialogue to address island-wide problems caused by the pandemic.
>> Leaders should strengthen other technical committees to contribute to the fight against coronavirus.
>> Two leaders should work on finding new ways to build trust & confidence between the two communities.
>> Leaders should reach joint agreement on reopening of the crossing points once the health situation stabilizes.
Ankara to pursue East Med gas research plan, energy minister says
Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkey is determined to carry out its oil and gas exploration program in the Eastern Mediterranean despite the many players who have attempted to thwart its plans, the country’s energy and natural resources minister said on Thursday.
The country will continue with its business plan in the Mediterranean as scheduled, Minister Fatih Dönmez said and specified that deep drilling would start in July 2020 using the country’s drillship, Fatih, for the first time in the Black Sea.
In an interview with Anadolu News Agency (AA), Dönmez referred to the agreement with Libya signed on Nov. 27 last year on maritime boundaries of countries in the Eastern Mediterranean and confirmed that following this memorandum of understanding, state oil company Turkish Petroleum had submitted its first application for exploration.
He said as soon as the application process is complete, the first seismic research activities would begin.
The pact asserted Turkey’s rights in the Eastern Mediterranean in the face of unilateral drilling by the Greek Cypriot side, clarifying that the Turkish Cypriot side also has rights to the resources in the area.
It further underlined that Ankara had a say in projects that involve it, as it has the longest coastline in the Mediterranean, and that it is prepared to cooperate with all countries in the region except for the Greek Cypriot side.
KEY ACTORS
Dönmez (Turkey)
>> Turkey is determined to carry out oil & gas exploration in the East Med despite attempts by players to thwart its plans.
>> Business plan in the East Med will go ahead as scheduled in July 2020.
Delegation for EU played a critical role in securing €11m funding
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
EU matters, Economy
OVERVIEW
“The support announced by the European Commission (EC) worth €11m, proves parliament right in its emphasis on developing foreign relations as well as demonstrating the undeniable success of the parliamentary delegation’s efforts and initiatives,” the Turkish Cypriot parliament said in a statement on Thursday.
The statement pointed out the Turkish Cypriot Parliament’s delegation in charge of relations with the European Union (EU), which is comprised of National Unity Party (UBP) MP Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu, Peoples’ Party (HP) MP Erek Çağatay and Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP Fikri Toros, had undertaken numerous initiatives with the EU to conjure support for the Turkish Cypriot community in view of social and economic development.
Among these initiatives, are matters pertaining to financial aid; implementation of the Green Line trade regulation and the Direct Trade Regulation, parliament noted.
“In this regard, the delegation continued with its efforts during the covid-19 pandemic maintaining regular contact with the EU and other international organisations in the best interest of the Turkish Cypriot community,” the statement read.
Noting many people have contributed to obtaining the financial support announced by the EC, the parliament expressed the belief that similar activities will help the north overcome the financial crisis with minimum cost.
“The parliament will continue with its activities in the international platforms hoping that it will strengthen the Turkish Cypriots’ ties with the world,” the statement concluded.
Tatar aims to revive plans to reopen Maraş (Varosha)
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Property, Territory, Internal Security, CBMs
OVERVIEW
The Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said on Wednesday his government’s plans to revive plans to reopen the fenced-off city of Maraş (Varosha).
“We have focused on implementing a number of economic programs with the launch of the normalisation process and the opening of Maraş (Varosha) is one of them,” Tatar said during a visit to the Famagusta Municipality.
He noted that the worst was over and that the cabinet’s focus was now on the economy.
Noting that Famagusta is a culturally rich town and is an attraction for tourists, Tatar said one of the projects for the cabinet is the reopening of the fenced-off town.
“We want to continue with our plans to reopen the fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha). In this regard, we will establish a commission to deal with the project,” Tatar said.
He added that he has also given instructions to resume the work on the development masterplan covering three municipalities namely Famagusta, Yeniboğaziçi (Agios Sergios) and İskele (Trikomo).
Touching on the issue of the Turkish Cypriots in Pile (Pyla), Tatar said they were still working on a way to address the issue.
The problems of Turkish Cypriots isolated in the mixed village of Pile (Pyla) was also raised at Thursday’s cabinet meeting.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay told a press conference on Thursday night that the issue had been raised at the meeting.
“We exchanged views with members of the cabinet and discussed ways of solving this issue, he said, adding that a decision will be produced in the coming days.
Özersay also announced new decisions easing and lifting restrictions in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
He said the regulation on social services has been amended in order o provide financial aid to those who have lost their income completely due to the coronavirus pandemic or due to the measures adopted in the fight against the pandemic.
He added the law on the Provident Fund has also been amended in order to allow provident fund owners to withdraw ₺2000 (€260) for three months without the normal mandatory requirement to pay back the money.
Özersay announced that public service will be returning to normal working conditions starting as of Monday, May 18.
He said that all restrictions on private tutoring would end as of May 18 and daycare centres will be reopened as of June 1.
In an amendment to a previous decision, Özersay said that beauty salons will be allowed to open along with barbershops and hairdressers on Wednesday, May 20.
All restrictions on restaurants, cafes and snack bars will also be lifted as of May 20 but will be subject to guidelines and rules to be determined at a meeting of relevant ministries and sector representatives.
Changes have also been introduced to the night-time curfew.
As of Friday, the night-time curfew will begin at 10 pm and end at 6 pm until Wednesday, May 20.
As of May 20, the night-time curfew will begin at midnight and end at 6 am.
Özersay also announced it will be possible to bring Turkish Cypriots who died in the UK from reasons or illnesses other than Covid-19 to the north for burial as of June 1.
Female lawyers express solidarity with victim of domestic violence
Yenidüzen
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
168 female lawyers and the Human Rights Committee of the Turkish Cypriot Bar Association declared its support and solidarity to a victim of domestic violence with a declaration published on Thursday.
The signatories laid out a list of demands in their declaration, which was open for sharing on social media.
The declaration also outlined certain irregularities in the court procedure of the abuser and the victim and demanded an explanation as to why the victim had been brought to the courts handcuffed while her attacker had not.
Both were charged with assaulting each other.
Moreover, the declaration also criticized the language used by some media outlets covering the incident which had attempted to legitimize the attacker’s motive.
A demand was also made for the Gender Equality Department, which was established in 2014, to be fully active and operational; the laws on domestic violence to be revised with the participation of all stakeholders; the crime of domestic violence to be included in the heavy-crimes section of the penal code; gender equality to be included in school curriculums; the necessary preventive programmes to be launched by the authorities; the members of the police force to be trained to deal with domestic violence cases; to provide education to members of the media on how to report on the domestic violence cases and finally to establish a judicial assistance system to provide legal services to the victim.