Front Page Headlines
No report… just seats
The investigation into the ‘private jet scandal’ is not moving forward. The report is not being made public. The scandal involving a group of people who arrived on a private jet in violation of quarantine rules is all forgotten. Ünal Üstel who was the tourism minister at the time and who had been removed from office after the scandal was disclosed has now been reappointed as Minister for Public Works and Communication. A police report on the scandal was completed but has not yet been made public. While the Attorney General’s office said they had sent back the report because the file was incomplete. The ombudsperson Emine Dizdarlı said that she too had applied to examine the files. “I am following the process closely,” she said. The leader of the Social Democratic Party (TDP) Cemal Özyiğit demands that the report be made public immediately. Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP Erkut Şahali said that two of the current cabinet members were believed to be involved in irregularities. National Unity Party (UBP) MP Faiz Sucuoğlu says the report must be made public while CTP MP Asım Akansoy complained that they had not seen the report either.
Time to serve
The cabinet for the UBP–DP(Democratic Party)–YDP (Rebirth Party) coalition was presented to the parliament yesterday (Thursday). The handover ceremonies were held. The Council of Ministers held its first meeting under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Ersan Saner with the agenda to prepare for the government programme.
- The goal is to transfer the 2021 (state) budget to the parliament – Prime Minister Ersan Saner made his first statement after assuming office.
The people are waiting for service
The UBP-DP-YDP minority government officially assumed duty. Handover ceremonies were held at the ministries yesterday (Thursday).
- “Brotherhood not dominance” – The Nicosia Turkish Municipality (LTB) and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) signed a “sister city protocol.” The message given at the signing ceremony was meaningful.
- “I will continue to walk this path with a clear conscious” – People’s Party (HP) MP Kudret Özersay, who declared his assets after handing over his duty at the foreign ministry, gave the message that he will continue with politics.
Everyone in difficulty
The people expect the new government to address issues in the public sector and increase the services provided, but they also have another expectation. They want the government to inspect the businesses and shops to prevent an increase in retail prices.
- The government programme left to next week – The list of the Council of Ministers, after approved by the president, was read out in parliament.
Submission. Give-and-Take
The new era of submission officially commenced! The struggle for democracy and political freedom was defeated once again! Fresh citizenships are next in line. (Frontpage full of photographs from the handover ceremonies)
- 403 positive cases of coronavirus and two deaths in the south, 12 positive cases in the north.
Main News
TCs have been denied many of their basic rights, Tatar says
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Human Rights, Negotiations Process, Regional/International Relations, Property, Territory
OVERVIEW
“The human rights violations committed against the Turkish Cypriots by the international community are unacceptable,” Turkish Cypriot President Ersin Tatar said on Thursday as he received a delegation from the Human Rights Association on December 10, Human Rights Day.
Tatar, speaking during the meeting, said that the Cyprus problem was a matter of human rights.
“The restrictions imposed on direct flights (to the north), on sports and other isolations are in no way acceptable,” Tatar stressed, accusing the Greek Cypriot side of preventing a solution on the island.
“The time has come for a two-state solution on the island based on sovereign equality,” Tatar said, adding that the north will continue to develop itself despite the continuation of the unfair isolations and limitations on human rights.
Tatar also pointed out that the reopening of Maraş (Varosha) will continue as part of the efforts to further develop the north.
“The fenced-off town will reopen as planned and without any harm to the property claims made by the Evkaf Administration. Maraş (Varosha) will be reopened for humanity through the Immovable Property Commission (IPC),” Tatar said, noting that Turkey is fully behind the project as well.
In the meantime, in a message issued on Thursday to mark Human Rights Day, Tatar held the UN responsible for the unjust embargoes and isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriot side.
“The UN should review its actions and decisions,” Tatar said, pointing out that Turkish Cypriots had been subjected to gross human rights violations between 1963 and 1974 after being forced to live in ghettos.
Tatar, also on Thursday, spoke at a video conference titled, “New solution model for the Cyprus problem: Two-state solution based on sovereign equality.”
Tatar, addressing the joint conference organised by the Cyprus Science University and several other Turkish universities, said the Turkish Cypriots over the years had advanced from being a community to a people with a sovereign state.
Recalling that the Turkish Cypriots had been saved from annihilation in 1974 as a result of Turkey’s timely military intervention based on rights emanating from international treaties, Tatar argued that Turkey’s strong presence in the Eastern Mediterranean today also strengthened the Turkish Cypriot side.
“There is no future for us in a federal partnership,” Tatar stressed, drawing attention to all the past failed negotiations processes.
He reminded that the Greek Cypriot side was admitted into the EU as a full member despite rejecting the Annan Plan referendum in 2004.
“The hopes for a federal solution completely disappeared when the Greek Cypriot side was admitted into the EU,” Tatar said, arguing that the Greek Cypriots had no reason to want a solution as they were recognized internationally
“It is necessary to find a solution on the island that will safeguard the security and welfare of the Turkish Cypriots. However, a federation is not that solution model. The settlement must be a two-state model based on sovereign equality where the two states on the island can coexist and cooperate side-by-side. This solution model will also ensure the continuation of Turkey’s guarantees,” Tatar stressed.
He also argued that neither the EU nor the Greek Cypriot side had the right to object to the matter as Turkey’s rights as a guarantor country emanated from international treaties.
Touching on the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, Tatar argued that the Turkish Cypriots have become an actor in the region.
“The status of the TRNC has increased in the region through the joint steps taken with Turkey… As a result of equitable sharing of all the wealth, the Turkish Cypriots will be able to build their future and look to the future with hope,” Tatar concluded.
Earlier on Wednesday, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar reiterated Turkey’s determination to protect the rights and interests of Turkey and of Turkish Cypriots in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Addressing the Turkish Parliament during the 2021 budget debates, Akar argued that “the biggest obstacle for a solution in Cyprus was the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo’s intransigent, unlawful and spoilt stance.”
“We are calling on all countries, and particularly the EU to respect the rights of Turkey and our Turkish Cypriot brethren in Cyprus and the Mediterranean. We expect them to be logical, objective and reasonable,” Akar stressed.
Akar also touched on the Maraş (Varosha) issue and argued that the term ‘fenced-off’ can no longer be used to describe the town.
“The reopening of Maraş (Varosha) complies with international law and is a legitimate move. The area is under the jurisdiction of the TRNC. Turkey continues to stand by Turkish Cypriots,” Akar said and expressed determination that the opening of the town will continue.
Touching on the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean, Akar argued that Greece is the country that wants to escalate tension in the region despite Ankara’s repeated calls for dialogue.
Akar noted that despite Turkey’s desire to resolve all outstanding problems in the region through international law, good neighbourly relations, dialogue and negotiations, Greece had rejected all hands of peace extended at the table.
“We are ready to discuss all issues pertaining to the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean without any preconditions,” Akar concluded.
Turkey’s Deputy Foreign Minister and Ambassador Sedat Önal also echoed Akar’s remarks on Thursday, stating that the Cyprus problem remains the biggest obstacle before stability and collaboration in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“The Cyprus problem is not solved because of the Greek Cypriot side’s intransigence and their mindset that sees the Turkish Cypriots as a minority on the island,” Önal said.
Addressing the participants at a symposium at the Turkish parliament, the Ambassador reiterated that Ankara wants to overcome the disputes through dialogue.
Önal noted that the Cyprus problem can only be solved through a ‘realistic approach.”
“The solution on the island must be based on the facts that there are two separate peoples, two separate democratic structures and there are two separate states,” Önal concluded.
The three-party coalition held its first cabinet meeting
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Governance and Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
The newly formed three-party coalition government held its first cabinet meeting on Thursday.
The meeting, which was chaired by Prime Minister Ersan Saner, was held following the hand-over ceremonies at the different ministries.
The meeting focused on the government programme that will be shared with the parliament on Monday.
Speaking to Bayrak before chairing the first cabinet meeting, Saner said that their top priority once the government receives a vote of confidence will be sending the 2021 state budget to parliament for approval.
He added that the government’s top job will be to address the country’s economic problems caused by the pandemic until early elections are held in October 2021.
On the other hand, the session at the Turkish Cypriot parliament was hit by a delay on Thursday after several National Unity Party (UBP) MPs turned up late.
Despite a three-hour delay, the new cabinet was read out by Saner.
The new government programme will be read out on Monday and a vote of confidence is set to take place on Wednesday.
In the meantime, the leaders of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Social Democratic Party (TDP) and People’s Party (HP) have all said they will not give their consent to the new government during the vote of confidence session set to take place next week. The three-party coalition currently has 25 MPs out of 50 and it is not enough for a simple majority.
However, the new coalition is still expected to receive a vote of confidence as a result of the support expected to be given by the three MPs who resigned from HP last week
Kızılyürek: TCs treated unfairly in EU over language
Yenidüzen
Human Rights, EU Matters
OVERVIEW
“The Turkish Cypriots are faced with unfair treatment due to the Turkish language not being recognized as one of the official languages of the EU,” Akel MEP Niyazi Kızılyürek said on Thursday.
Speaking through Skype connection at an event organized by his representation office at the “Human Rights House,” Kızılyürek noted he continues with determination his struggle to make the EU accept Turkish.
“The very basis of this unfair treatment is when the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) became a member of the bloc, Turkish, which is one of the two official languages on the island was unfortunately left out. Both the Greek Cypriot and the EU officials had a role to play in it,” Kızılyürek argued.
Kızılyürek urged the people on the island to demand the EU recognize Turkish as an official language, in addition to his ongoing efforts in Brussels.
Director of Kızılyürek’s office in the north Derya Beyatlı said Kızılyürek has renewed his efforts for the recognition of Turkish as an official EU language.
“Following his earlier initiatives at the EU Commission and Council, Kızılyürek has launched a petition for the recognition of Turkish as an official EU language,” Beyatlı said, adding that Turkish Cypriots are faced with serious discrimination for not being able to access official EU documents in their language.
Noting that 33 organisations are supporting the petition, Beyatlı pointed to the EU leaders’ summit. She noted that the Turkish Cypriots are not able to follow the debates on an issue that is very important for them.
“The Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus are discriminated as European citizens. They are speaking Turkish, one of the official languages of the country, without it being an official language of the EU,” Beyatlı said and highlighted Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, which prohibits any form of discrimination.
Beyatlı concluded by urging everyone to support the petition.
The petition asks for the European Parliament to put an immediate end to the ongoing discrimination.
The petition can be accessed at the following link:
Call to both sides to make use of AHDR’s education materials
Yenidüzen
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The supplementary education materials for educators and students prepared by the Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR) have been collecting dust on the shelves, rejected by the two sides across the divide, Yenidüzen reported on Friday.
Internationally renowned investigative journalist and writer Sevgül Uludağ touched on the issue in her column in the Turkish Cypriot daily.
Uludağ noted that the supplementary materials, all of which have been prepared by renowned educators and published in three languages, have never been put to use by authorities on both sides of the island.
Only a handful of civil society organisations (CSOs) and teachers have organised several activities based on the books so far.
“Even though the leaders of the two communities inaugurated the Home for Cooperation, neither of them has decided to pick up any one of the books and look what is written inside,” Uludağ concluded.
More information on the supplementary materials can be found at the link below:
https://www.ahdr.info/our-work/supplementary-educational-materials