Front Page Headlines
We shot a migrant
We greeted refugees fleeing war on the shores of Yayla (Syrianohori) with bullets. Police fired on a refugee boat with seven children on board. Police sources close to Yenidüzen, said four shots were fired at the boat by police waiting in ambush. Two people were wounded as a result of the shots fired. Police made two different statements concerning the incident. In its first statement, it said officers had fired and injured two migrants who were trying to flee. In a second revised statement, it said that police had fired at the engine of the boat after firing warning shots in the air. Human Rights organisations: “Seeking asylum is a right. An investigation must be launched on the police.” Republican Turkish Party (CTP) youth branch: “An investigation must be launched into why police acted so quickly to use firearms.”
Ceased Print/Online Only
They were shot at when disobeyed the stop warning
The captain of a boat carrying 30 Syrian migrants tried to turn around after seeing police waiting for them on shore at Yayla (Syrianohori) village. He disobeyed the stop warning from the police. As a result, police first fired warning shots in the air before aiming at the engine. The police fired three bullets in the air and four on the engine. The boat’s captain and a Syrian migrant were injured.
- “Asking for asylum is a basic right” – Five civil society organisations (CSO) issued a joint statement criticizing the absence of a mechanism for asylum seekers in the north. “It is appalling that there is not a mechanism in place to protect the asylum seekers and allow them to benefit from the rights in the north,” the CSOs said.
Migrants greeted by police bullets
Two undocumented migrants were shot during a police operation carried out at the Yayla (Syrianohori) village in the early hours on Thursday. According to information obtained by Havadis, the police which received a tip from an informant set up an ambush at the point where the migrants were expected to come onshore. The boat captain attempted to turn his boat away when he saw the police on the beach. The captain disobeyed the warning from the police. As a result, the police first fired in the air (three bullets) and then fired four shots at the boat’s engine. As a result, the captain and a Syrian migrant were injured. There were 20 men, three women and seven children Syrian migrants on board.
- The big threat in water – Many of the government’s public responsibilities are suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is reported that the analysis carried out on bottled drinking water has not been carried out for at least two months and ten days.Çiğdem Çağa, Director of the Primary Health Services Department in response to Havadis’s questions said: “they are looking into the matter.” According to information available on the health ministry’s web site, the last seawater analysis was carried out in October 2019 and the last pool water analysis in February 2020.
- The latest situation: North 115 cases, four deaths; South 1,010 cases, 26 deaths; Turkey 209,962 cases, 5,300 deaths.
What is happening
Four persons who wreaked havoc in the walled city (Nicosia) around midnight (Wednesday) stabbed one person then toured the city in a car firing shots in the air. The individuals were caught and arrested by police in Haspolat (Mia Millia). A metal bar, several knives and empty bullet cases were found in the car used by the four individuals.
- One-sided and unfair step – Announcement by the US that it will offer military training and support to the Greek Cypriot army has drawn fierce reaction from Turkey and the TRNC.
- An example to the TRNC – South Cyprus will not be charging UK tourists for their tests.
They fled from the war in Syria only to be shot at in the TRNC
A tragic event occurred in the north yesterday (Thursday) morning. A boat with 30 Syrians – 20 men, three women and seven children – arrived at Yayla (Syrianohori) a coastal village near Güzelyurt (Morphou). The Turkish Cypriot coast guard started to fire at the boat…One refugee was hit on the hip and the other one was injured on his left arm. Firing at the refugees caused outrage among the community. The police department issued two different statements on the issue. The first one said the shooting occurred after the refugees disembarked the boat while a revised statement said that police had fired at the boat.
- An investigation must be launched into the police shooting at a refugee – Five civil society organisations issued a statement.
Main News
GC authorities should remove the pillboxes immediately
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Internal Security, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
“The Greek Cypriot side has added yet another provocative act to its on-going actions aimed at escalating tension on the island and have installed concrete pillboxes near the Yeşilırmak (Limnitis) crossing point,” Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay said on Thursday.
According to a statement issued by the ministry Özersay in two separate letters sent to the United Nations’ (UN) officials, demanded the Greek Cypriot side remove the portable pillboxes, which could house heavy artillery, placed near the crossing points and within the vicinity of the area used by civilians.
“Two new heavy artillery pillboxes made out of concrete had been placed at the Yeşilırmak (Limnitis) crossing point, which is frequently used by civilians from both the communities. Moreover, it had been identified that a similar military installation was placed near Mansura on the Erenköy (Kokkina) road,” Özersay pointed out in his letters.
He added that the road is part of the supply route for the Erenköy Division of the Turkish Cypriot security forces (GKK).
Moreover, Özersay said the Greek Cypriot side had been using the pandemic as an excuse to prevent the delivery of supplies to the Erenköy regiment for the past four months.
“This is not only in violation of the Yeşilırmak (Limnitis) agreement but also gives the Turkish Cypriot side reason to believe that the Greek Cypriot side might have used the period to carry out more military fortification efforts to gain a military advantage in other areas as well,” Özersay argued.
“The Greek Cypriot side’s activities constitute a clear violation of the UN Security Council resolutions and the military status quo as well as posing a threat to civilians who use the crossing point,” it said.
The statement added that the need for the immediate removal of the above mentioned military installations had been relayed to United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Elizabeth Spehar as well as to Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix, who is in charge of the peacekeeping missions with the UN, in separate letters.
GC side’s inclusion in IMET draws more criticism from the TC side
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
External Security, Internal Security, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
“The decisions adopted by disregarding the balance between the two separate administrations on the island, will neither contribute to finding a fair and lasting solution on the island based on today’s realities nor will it help at all in establishing peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region,” Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar said on Thursday.
Tatar’s words came in response to an announcement on Wednesday by the US embassy in Nicosia of Washington’s intention to provide International Military Education and Training (IMET) to the Greek Cypriot National Guard.
In a written statement, issued by the National Unity Party (UBP) Tatar also urged the US to abandon similar decisions adopted earlier if it truly wanted the Eastern Mediterranean to be a basin for collaboration and peace.
“The more we display our determination to protect our rights with tangible steps in the Eastern Mediterranean, the more the Greek Cypriot side resorts to other tricks,” Tatar said.
He argued that the Greek Cypriot National Guard’s participation in the IMET programme will only serve to further aggravate the Greek Cypriot side’s irreconcilable and intransigent attitude in the Cyprus problem.
He added ensuring the protection of the rights of the Turkish Cypriots vis-à-vis the Cyprus problem can only be done in collaboration with Turkey.
“It is for this reason that in response to the Greek Cypriot side’s ploys to usurp the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, we have to take steps towards a two-state solution together with Turkey; we have to push forward our drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and we have to reopen Maraş (Varosha) without any further delay,” Tatar said.
He also said that the US’s action will not serve to deter the Turkish Cypriot side from pursuing its efforts to protect its rights and the interests in the region.
“The US officials know very well that there are two sovereign states and two separate communities on the island. If the US officials do not treat the two sides equally, they would naturally be drawing reactions from the Turkish Cypriot community but also would be violating the very principles of the United Nations (UN) on the island,” Tatar concluded.
The Turkish Cypriot Foreign Ministry echoed Tatar’s remarks, claiming that Washington’s move only served to heighten tensions in the region.
A statement issued by Kudret Özersay’s office said that the Turkish Cypriot side was shocked with the announcement of support to the Greek Cypriot side, which it added pursued a campaign of armament and an anti-Turkish policy on all international platforms.
It argued that Washington was making a big mistake in believing that the Greek Cypriot leadership which “usurped the rights of Turkish Cypriots and constantly raised tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean” could contribute to regional peace and stability.
“It must be known that military education and training support provided to an administration which refuses to remove antagonist teachings from its education system harms the possibility of reaching an agreement on the island and is equivalent of jeopardising trust and stability in the region,” the statement read.
The statement also recalled that the US had imposed an arms embargo in 1987 in an attempt not to hamper solution efforts but had lifted this decision in 2019.
It said that it was greatly unfortunate that the US was further pursuing such a policy by announcing its training support.
“Such actions will only serve to further encourage the Greek Cypriot administration’s hostile stance. Such a move cannot have a positive impact on either the island or the region. On the contrary, it will harm security and stability,” the statement read.
It explained that stability and peace needed in the region could only be achieved through dialogue and cooperation.
A similar reaction to the announcement came on Thursday from the Justice and Development Party (AKP) spokesman Ömer Çelik.
In a social media post on Thursday, Çelik argued no one would benefit from steps towards destabilizing the Eastern Mediterranean.
“This latest step taken by the US does not contribute to the solution efforts on the island. On the contrary, it supports the non-solution,” Çelik stressed.
He noted that there were two equal communities on the island; therefore they needed to be treated equally.
Çalik added acting that anything contrary to this would only be unlawful.
He stressed that the one-sided approaches that acknowledged the Greek Cypriot side as the sole interlocutor on the island failed to produce any positive outcomes to date.
“Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side will continue to protect their rights and interests in the region,” Çelik concluded.
Earlier on Wednesday, President Mustafa Akıncı and the Turkish Foreign Ministry had reacted to the announcement.
Akıncı had urged the US to adopt a balanced approach on the island and said the US could only contribute to peace and stability in the region, not through military support and cooperation, but by pursuing a balanced approach to both sides and encouraging constructive dialogue and cooperation between regional actors.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar (UBP)
>> Disregarding the balance between two sides will neither contribute to finding a fair and lasting solution nor will it help establish peace & stability in the East Med.
>> GC National Guard’s participation in IMET will only serve to further aggravate the GC side’s intransigent attitude on Cyprob.
>> Ensuring protection of the rights of the TCs vis-à-vis the Cyprob can only be done in collaboration with Turkey.
>> TC side must take steps towards a two-state solution; push forward its drilling activities in the East Med & reopen Maraş (Varosha) without any further delay in response to the GC ploys.
>> US’s action will not deter TC from pursuing its efforts to protect its rights & interests in the region.
Özersay (HP)
>> Washington’s move only serves to heighten tensions in the region.
>> Washington is making a big mistake in believing that the GC side will contribute to regional peace & stability.
>> Such actions will only serve to further encourage the GC side’s hostile stance & cannot have a positive impact on either the island or the region.
>> Stability & peace needed in the region can only be achieved through dialogue & cooperation.
Çelik (AKP)
>> No one would benefit from steps towards destabilizing the Eastern Mediterranean.
>> The latest step does not contribute to the solution efforts on the island but serves the non-solution.
>> Turkey & TC side will continue to protect their rights & interests in the region.
Syrian refugees arrive in the north, two shot
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Migration & Citizenship, Internal Security, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
A group of undocumented 30 Syrians arrived early on Thursday in the north by boat with two men being shot and injured by police.
An initial police report said the two had been shot while trying to flee but a revised statement issued later on Thursday said that the men had been injured after police officers fired at the boat which had ignored calls to approach the shore.
The statement added that none of the migrants had been fired upon after they had disembarked from the boat.
The boat with 30 Syrians – 20 men, three women and seven children – arrived at Yayla (Syrianohori) a coastal village near Güzelyurt (Morphou).
The boat arrived at around 6.30 am, reports said.
Two people who were steering the boat and a man, who was on the shore waiting for the boat, were arrested.
It was reported that police fired four shots in the air as a warning before aiming at the engine.
Consequently, the boat’s captain and one of the migrants were hit by the bullets.
Another man, who was also on the shore waiting for the boat fled and is now wanted by authorities.
Police were waiting for the group’s arrival after receiving a notification by the coast guard teams.
The migrants were then taken for coronavirus testing and placed a quarantined guest house in İskele (Trikomo) until necessary procedures are completed.
The two crew persons who were brought before the court were remanded three days in police custody until police complete its investigation.
Meanwhile, human rights associations and several trade unions condemned the Turkish Cypriot police for shooting and injuring the two migrants.
“It is inhumane and a violation of human rights to shoot those fleeing wars,” said the head of the Turkish Cypriot Press Workers’ Union Ali Kişmir.
In a post on social media, Kişmir said that the police’s action was unacceptable.
He said that the police officers who shot the two migrants should be held accountable for their actions.
The Turkish Cypriot Bar Association (KTBB), Turkish Cypriot Human Rights Foundation (KTIHV), Queer Cyprus Association, Refugee Rights’ Association (MHD) also issued a joint statement on Thursday condemning the authorities in the north for introducing legislation for asylum seekers.
“Seeking asylum and benefiting from its means is a basic right,” the associations stressed.
They added that the entry of the refugees and asylum seekers to the north must be permitted and their need for international protection must be considered.
“Seeking asylum is not an unlawful act, therefore, the authorities must refrain from detaining them… Even if the detention is unavoidable, the detention facilities must be secure and must provide compatible conditions with human dignity,” the statement read.
The organisations also urged the police officials to launch an investigation into why the officers apprehending the migrants had found the need to use their firearms
A similar statement was issued by the Republican Turkish Party’s (CTP) Youth Branch which demanded the launch of an inquiry as to why police resorted to the use of guns.