Front Page Headlines
The cry for help of a young man
“I don’t want to commit a crime or serve time in prison.” 23-year-old Onur Tiken who has experienced a great number of problems in his short life, serving six prison sentences, a total of four years, and who is currently living on the street, spoke to Yenidüzen about his life.
The laws are not being implemented, the state fails to inspect them
There is no end to workplace accidents in our country… Güvenç Yüksel, head of the Association for Workplace Health and Safety experts, said that workplace accidents continue to occur because the laws are not being adhered to. Koral Asam, head of DEV-İŞ (Turkish Cypriot Federation for Revolutionary Workers’ Unions) said the workers are faced with serious risks at their workplaces.
- New relaxations announced – Higher Committee for Infectious Diseases announced additional measures to be implemented from May 27 onwards.
- The puzzle over early election continues – Two weeks have passed since the crisis erupted over which committee is to discuss the two different dates proposed by the government and the opposition for early elections. The government, which wants an ad-hoc committee to be established on the issue, does not allow the political affairs and foreign affairs committee in parliament to convene either.
Lifting the curtain on Adalı’s murder
Sedat Peker, who fled abroad following a court order for his arrest after being charged with leading a criminal gang in Turkey, revealed Mehmet Ağar’s and Korkut Eken’s dirty secrets. In his latest video on YouTube, Greywolf mafia Sedat Peker said he will talk about the role of Mehmet Ağar, who is the head of the deep state in Turkey, and senior Turkish intelligence officer Korkut Eken in the murder of journalist Kutlu Adalı.
- The war over passports – The passport debates caused a stir in the south as well. Greens and Solidarity Movement in the Greek Cypriot parliament demanded revoking Ersin Tatar’s and Ersan Saner’s citizenship.
Everything remains the same
The Higher Committee for Infectious Diseases announced the additional measures it adopted for Covid-19. The full-day curfew will remain in force on Mother’s Day. There will be no restrictions during the Ramadan Bairam or Eid al Fitr holiday except for the night-time curfew which begins at 9 pm. However, amusement parks and thematic parks will not be allowed to open and visits will be limited to immediate family.
- They proposed a change in legislation – Two Greek Cypriot political parties are demanding that the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) passports of Tatar, Saner and ministers be revoked.
- New measures announced – The night-time curfew in South Cyprus will be in force from 11 pm to 5 am.
Who killed Kutlu Adalı?
Sedat Peker will reveal the truth behind Kutlu Adalı’s murder. One of the most famous mafia leaders in Turkey, Sedat Peker started revealing the secrets when he was targeted by Mehmet Ağar, who is regarded as the backbone of the Erdoğan regime. The video broadcast by Peker, who is believed to be in Dubai, dropped like a bomb in Cyprus. He announced he will reveal the details of the Kutlu Adalı murder in his second video.
- The nightclubs are opening – Here are the new Covid measures.
- 460 cases of coronavirus and one death in the south, 54 cases and one death in the north.
Main News
“RoC passport is a right, not a favour,” Özyiğit stressed
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The debate on Republic of Cyprus (RoC) citizenships of government officials in the north continued on Thursday.
Social Democratic Party (TDP) leader Cemal Özyiğit on Thursday said the RoC was a right and not a favour granted by politicians.
In a social media post, the TDP leader added that the Turkish Cypriots were equal partners of the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) based on the founding agreements in Zurich and London therefore every Turkish Cypriot had the right to acquire RoC citizenship.
“Yes, it is an individual right however what’s more important is that the community benefits from these rights. This is the very core of our struggle for solution and peace on the island,” Özyiğit concluded.
German FM Maas: “We support closer dialogue closer dialogue between the EU & Turkey”
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Regional/ International Relations
OVERVIEW
The recent informal five-plus-one Cyprus conference was among the agenda items during the meeting between the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and his German counterpart Heiko Maas on Thursday.
Holding a joint press conference following their meetings, Çavuşoğlu thanked Germany for its “constructive and prudent approach” on different agenda items such as Customs Union and allowing visa-free travel for Turkish nationals within the Schengen area as well as for its support to de-escalate tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and efforts for a settlement on Cyprus.
He nonetheless accused several EU members, including France, Greece and the Greek Cypriot side of blocking closer cooperation between EU and Turkey. “While we are trying to improve our bilateral relations in the upcoming period, we are determined to continue our cooperation with Germany on regional issues as well,” he added.
For his part, Maas also welcomed de-escalation of tensions in the region and expressed hope that dialogue between Turkey and Greece, and the UN’s efforts for a Cyprus settlement would open the way for a long-term solution to the current problems.
“Germany is in favour of constructive relations with Turkey,” Maas stressed, adding that his government supports closer dialogue between the EU and Turkey.
A decade of convening & connecting the communities
Yenidüzen
CBMs
OVERVIEW
Home for Cooperation (H4C) on Thursday marked its 10th anniversary being located in-between the dividing lines in Cyprus.
In a written statement issued, the H4C said: “A decade was filled with innumerable friendships and memories… dedicated to challenging all physical and mental barriers between the communities of Cyprus supporting a vast number of artists, academics, students, NGOs and initiatives.”
Established in 2011 as an educational and research centre by the Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR), the H4C was transformed into an intercommunal community centre, with its multicommunal team.
“Home is a hub,” the statement read, adding that the H4C welcomes all communities of the island. Running artistic and cultural programmes, the H4C contributes to peacebuilding efforts on the ground in line with its goal towards developing positive “peace for Cyprus and its people built upon the values of diversity, respect and human dignity.”
On the 10th anniversary, the H4C reiterated its determination to continue working towards reconciliation and towards cultivating sustainable peace for the people of Cyprus freed from the traumas and stigmas of the past.
The H4C statement also noted that it cannot celebrate its anniversary at a time when the crossings are closed, and friends are being kept apart. “In the past decade, the Home for Cooperation has created a microcosm which reflects what the future of Cyprus could look like,” the statement read, adding that the H4C has shown that the people of Cyprus can overcome the barriers in their minds and hearts, work together and learn to live together once again.
The H4C also expressed its gratitude to those making the project sustained to date.
No harsh restrictions for Eid al-Fitr, families advised to limit gatherings
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Internal Security
OVERVIEW
The Higher Committee for Infectious Diseases on Thursday evening announced the latest Covid-19 decisions ahead of Mother’s Day weekend and the Eid al-Fitr.
According to the latest decisions, the full-day curfew will remain in place on Sunday which coincides with Mother’s Day. However, there will be no travel restrictions or daytime curfew during the three-day Eid Al Fitr holiday although the committee has advised people not to carry out traditional visits to extended family to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The operation of amusement parks, funfairs and thematic parks will also not be allowed. The committee, however, on a one-time-off decision, will allow six charter flights to land at Ercan (Tymbou) airport on May 12 and four flights the next day in line with the ‘closed-circuit’ tourism activities during the Eid al-Fitr period.
Florists will also be allowed to open on Sunday but only for online orders and delivery services.
The committee also announced the entry of individuals arriving from India, Brazil, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone and Cameroon is disallowed until further notice due to a rise in the number of cases in those countries.
The decision does not include ‘TRNC’ citizens who will be allowed entry but will be required to quarantine for 14 days.
On a positive note, the committee has lifted restrictions on other areas. Weddings and engagement parties will be allowed to take place as of May 27. Musicians will also be allowed to perform at outdoor areas of restaurants and cafes as of the end of the month. If the current epidemiological situation remains the same, the full-day curfew will also be lifted as of May 27.
There was no changes introduced to ongoing rules and regulations for people crossing through the checkpoints.