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Free press
Journalists marched through the streets chanting slogans such as “the press cannot be silenced” and “we are not afraid of you.” They gave the message that they will not bow to pressure from politicians. The march organised jointly by the Turkish Cypriot Journalists’ Association (KTGB) and Basın-Sen (Turkish Cypriot Press Workers’ Union) was staged in protest of violence, threats and inappropriate accusations made against the press or journalists.
The citrus sector first hit by hailstorms and then uncertainty
Citrus growers complain that the state has not helped cover the cost of damage caused by hailstorms nor has Cypfruvex purchased the citrus from the orchards affected by the storms. They complain they are unable to find anyone who will listen to them. Ali Alioğlu, head of the Citrus Growers’ Association said the reports submitted by the Agriculture Department in Güzelyurt (Morphou) were ignored by the Agriculture Ministry or by the General Agriculture Insurance Fund. Meanwhile, the Ministry’s Undersecretary Emirali Deveci said the delay was due to the pandemic, ensuring the citrus growers affected by the hailstorm that they will be paid.
- We are crowding into supermarkets, we are not afraid of the virus – The changes made to the closing time of supermarkets from 6pm to 8pm has not helped prevent crowding at rush hour.
- 27 positive cases in Haspolat (Mia Milia) – 38 locally transmitted, a total of 41 positive coronavirus cases were identified yesterday throughout the TRNC. The majority of the cases are from Nicosia.
- Implement rules, open the sector and then inspect – Salih Kayım, head of restaurant owners’ association pleaded with the authorities to allow restaurants to receive sit-in customers.
The free press will not be silenced
KTGB and Basın-Sen organised a march to protest the attacks on journalists. The participants protested Nur Nadir, vice president of the Kıbrıs media group, for accusing journalists supporting the opposition of being members of FETÖ (Fethullah Gülen Terrorist Organisation) and Deputy Prime Minister and Economy and Energy Minister Erhan Arıklı for lashing out at Muazzez Gazihan during a TV programme. In addition to the dozens of journalists taking part in the march, members of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), People’s Party (HP), Social Democratic Party (TDP) and Cyprus Socialist Party (KSP), trade unions and civil society organisations all took part in support.
- “Get seriously involved in the process” – The UN has officially extended an invitation to the relevant sides for the informal five-plus-one meeting on April 27 to 29. US Ambassador to Nicosia Judith G. Garber warned the two sides to take the conference seriously.
- The numbers are looking good despite the crisis – The Turkish economy grew 1.8 per cent in 2020.
- Vaccine passport becoming a reality – The EU gave the go-ahead for the “digital green pass.”
Detailed investigation
Financial police acting on a report prepared by the Court of Auditors questioned some employees at KIB-TEK (Turkish Cypriot Electricity Authority). Police questioned individuals following allegations of corruption and forgery at the authority which has a budget close to that of the TRNC. While the Minister for Economy and Energy Erhan Arıklı confirmed reports concerning the investigation, he said that the allegations of serious levels of corruption within KIB-TEK will be investigated.
No one can make us forget the January 22 mob attack
It is not possible to speak about free media when under occupation. It was only the members of the Revolutionary Communist Union who reminded everyone at yesterday’s protest of the January 22 mob attack on our newspaper. The organisers of the media workers’ march that took place in Dereboyu (Shakespeare Avenue) tried to stop and silence the group of protestors from chanting the slogan, “Those who stoned Afrika (newspaper) are wandering freely on the streets.”
- 38 locally transmitted, 41 positive cases of coronavirus in the north, 302 in the south…
Main News
US in favour of a BBF solution in Cyprus
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Washington on Monday made it clear that it supports a bizonal, bicommunal federal (BBF) settlement in Cyprus. In an interview with the Turkish Cypriot state news agency TAK, the US Ambassador to Nicosia Judith G. Garber said the US as a permanent UN Security Council (UNSC) member and partner to Cypriots, favoured a BBF solution to the Cyprus problem as stated in the relevant UNSC resolutions.
Garber expressed her wish that common ground be found at the five-plus-one meeting in Geneva for the launch of the official negotiations process. She also said the five-plus-one meeting was a critically important step for the island and urged the Cypriot leaders to work hard to reach a common ground.
“The five-plus-one is an encouraging step forward and we hope the sides will seize the opportunity,” Garber added. Responding to a question on the possibility of tabling alternative solutions to the Cyprus problem, Garber said what matters for the US is that the negotiations will be a Cypriot-led process, noting that it is an opportunity for the sides to table their visions, concerns and other pertinent issues.
“If the sides were to agree on an alternative solution model on the island, I believe it needs to be taken up at the UNSC level,” she noted. The ambassador also drew attention to the importance of a solution in Cyprus for stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region, reiterating that the US believes the natural resources must be shared equitably between the two communities.
She added that the Biden administration, which sees the Eastern Mediterranean as an important region, will continue to support efforts to bring stability to the region. Urging the sides to refrain from provocative actions in order not to escalate tension on the island or in the region, Garber said the US believes the natural resources bear the potential to bring the sides together.
Responding to a question on the lifting of the arms embargo on the Greek Cypriot side, Garber urged for the relevant decisions to be understood well.
She explained that the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Partnership Act of 2019 lifted the limitations on trade for non-lethal weapons and military gear such as bullet-proof vests and situational awareness tools for the navy. “When we do not talk about armament, we cannot accuse the US of encouraging investment in arms on the island,” Garber stressed.
KEY ACTORS
Garber (US)
>> Washington favours a BBF solution to the Cyprob.
>> US hopes sides will seize opportunity to agree on common ground to launch official talks.
>> US wants a Cypriot-led process on the island.
>> If sides agree on alternative solution model, issue needs to be taken up at the UNSC.
>> Solution to Cyprob will bring stability to the East Med region.
>> Sides should refrain from provocative actions so as not to escalate tension in East Med.
>> US believes natural resources bear potential to bring sides together.
>> 2019 East Med Security & Partnership Act is for the sale of non-lethal military equipment.
Hasipoğlu claims UNSG wants a ‘different’ process
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
National Unity Party (UBP) MP and member of the Turkish Cypriot negotiations team Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu on Monday claimed that the UN Secretary-General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres in his invitation letter for the five-plus-one meeting stressed he wants a different process.
Revealing the details of the letter during a programme on Bayrak, Hasipoğlu argued that the UNSG, following meetings held between his special envoy Jane Holl Lute and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, has made it clear he desires the new process to be different.
“It is important to note that this view was expressed after Mr Tatar tabled his vision concerning a two-state solution,” Hasipoğlu said, arguing that the new process can only be based on a two-state solution with two equal and sovereign sides.
He argued that when using the term “foreseeable horizon” Guterres implied that the new process will be subject to a timeline. Hasipoğlu added that the UNSG’s desire to see a swift process was something the Turkish Cypriot side fully supported. He also claimed the invitation for the five-plus-one meeting is clearly to discuss a two-state solution and not a federation.
In the meantime, Tatar on Monday met with a group of academics as part of preparations for the five-plus-one meeting. According to a press statement issued by Tatar’s office, discussions at the meeting focused on evaluating the Turkish Cypriot side’s strategy in favour of a two-state solution based on sovereign equality and equal international status.
Also, on Monday, Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu held separate video-conference meetings with Rosemary Di Carlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, and Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations.
Ertuğruoğlu conveyed the Turkish Cypriot side’s views ahead of the 5+UN informal meeting, and said that any new talks should be based on the sovereign equality of the two sides. During his meeting with Lacroix, he also put on record the viewpoints of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the operations of UNFICYP in the north.
Bicommunal choir gives a message for peace in Cyprus
Yenidüzen
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The bicommunal choir members gave messages of peace and reunification in a video message ahead of the five-plus-one meeting, Yenidüzen reported on Tuesday.
Members of the choir, speaking in Greek and Turkish, called upon the two leaders and the people of Cyprus to find in their hearts and minds the hope, faith and courage to visualise a united country and work towards and build bridges of a peace culture, friendship and cooperation.
Drawing from their own experience over the last 24 years, members of the choir urged the people of Cyprus to look to the future proactively for a balanced, viable solution that will respond to the concerns, needs and interest of both communities. Warning against the consequences of the division of the island, the choir expressed its strong support and commitment for the BBF that will reunite Cyprus.
Online training held for LGBTI+ migrants
Yenidüzen
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
The Queer Cyprus Association conducted online training on irregular migrants who are members of the LGBTI+ community for its members and supporters on February 25.
The training sessions, which were delivered by legal expert Faika Deniz Paşa and Deniz Altıok, covered the international and domestic legislative framework in the northern part of Cyprus as well as the importance of policies on seeking asylum.
The training also reasserted the fact that the LGBTI+ members have been subjected to serious human rights violations due to their gender identity and sexual orientation in any community they live in, forcing them to emigrate elsewhere to seek asylum.
LGBTI+ in Freedom from Exploitation LIFE Project aims to contribute to the struggle of LGBTI+s who are trafficked in the northern part of Cyprus. The Project is funded by the EU under the “Together Against Trafficking in Human Beings” Grant Scheme and implemented by Queer Cyprus Association in cooperation with KAOS-GL.