Front Page Headlines
What happened to the investigation?
The Human Rights Platform asked the police directorate eight questions following the new allegations concerning the Kutlu Adalı murder. The platform asks whether or not an investigation is being carried out in light of the latest developments.
This is the main cause of forest fires but apparently it’s not a crime
The report prepared by a special parliamentary committee investigating large forest fires since 1995, revealed several anomalies in the Forest Law. The MPs during the work of the committee have realised that throwing a cigarette bud without putting out its fire, which is cited as one of the main reasons for forest fires, is not defined as a criminal act punishable by law. They have prepared amendments to the law.
- The trees succumbed to the flames – A massive forest fire broke out in Xyliatou – Aya Marina area in south Cyprus.
“Pay the contractors first, you can build the palace later”
Cafer Gürcafer, head of the Cyprus Turkish Building Contractors’ Association (KTİMB) reminded that six companies are owed a total of ₺7.2m (€720,000) for projects financed by Turkey since 2019 and called on Ersin Tatar to make overdue payments to the contractor companies before building a new presidential palace.
- “Centre Nicosia” will lead the way in ‘market’ concepts – Nicosia Turkish Municipality (LTB) inaugurated ‘Centre Nicosia,’ which will be an open-market and a place to hold events and organisations, with a grand ceremony.
- Üstel was promised a ‘substantial amount of vaccines’ – Health Minister Ünal Üstel met with Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca.
Shocking report
According to a report prepared by MASAK (Turkey’s Financial Crimes Investigation Council), up to $2bn in money laundering or online betting operations takes place in the TRNC every year. The Minister of Economy Erhan Arıklı revealed the shocking report on TV2020 last night. He said that they have prepared a draft law to regulate online betting. Arıklı also said that should the TRNC succeed in auditing online betting transactions, the revenues to be earned will end the country’s budgetary problems. He added that they will succeed in passing the “Chance Games Law” from parliament despite all obstacles.
- Punishment for ‘free PCR’ – Long queues formed at the PCR test centres at the Nicosia Fair Grounds and Alsancak (Karavas). People were forced to wait in long queues for hours.
Hadji (Sunat) Atun on the offense
Yet another religious clamp to the secular Turkish Cypriot community by those who profess to deliver everything there is in Turkey to (north) Cyprus. The scope of religious education in schools is being broadened following the (Hala Sultan) Divinity College…National Unity Party (UBP) Famagusta MP Hadji Sunat Atun prepared a bill to allow the opening of secondary schools and high schools that will solely focus on religious studies. Atun’s proposal was published in the Official Gazette. If Atun’s proposal were to be accepted, secondary and high schools that educate children to become imams could be opened and the people will be able to send their children to these schools.
- ‘Centre Nicosia’ inaugurated – Nicosia Turkish Municipality built ‘Centre Nicosia’ with its own funds.
- MIT intervened in the elections – Mustafa Akıncı said, adding “(Turkish President) Erdoğan wants to rule the north the same way he is ruling Turkey.” He added: “The main objective was to prevent me from being elected.”
Main News
Atun’s proposal for bill on religious schools outrages opposition
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Governance and Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
National Unity Party (UBP) MP Sunat Atun has submitted amendments to the education ministry law to officiate and grant legal status to the “religious divinity schools,” which is a contentious issue in the north and is perceived as an imposition of Turkey’s ruling party Justice and Development Party (AKP).
The amendments were published in the official gazette on Wednesday, June 16 to launch the public consultation process. Speaking to Yenidüzen on the issue, Turkish Cypriot Education Minister Olgun Amcaoğlu, who is also a UBP MP, said he was not informed about the proposed amendments and that he too was informed of the issue via posts on social media.
He also noted that the ministry neither worked on such amendments nor need such amendments. Amcaoğlu also added that every MP is free to submit any amendment or bill they like.
Also speaking to Yenidüzen, Social Democratic Party (TDP) leader and former education minister Cemal Özyiğit said such amendments are in no way acceptable. Citing the north’s constitutional provisions on secularism, he said the ministry cannot open religious divinity schools. Özyiğit called on the Turkish Cypriot community to resist such a move.
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) leader Tufan Erhürman also slammed Atun’s move but directed his criticisms at the coalition government. In a social media post, he said that the education minister pointed out that the education minister is not even aware of the amendments proposed with the goal of opening religious schools. He harshly criticized the government for failing to govern the north.
People’s Party (HP) leader Kudret Özersay also slammed the government for attempting to “change the agenda” in the north with the proposal of opening a religious school. Özersay stressed the HP will in no way allow such changes to the law.
Cyprus might be divided but has one eco-system
Yenidüzen
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
“Poles Apart” is the new programme produced together with Greek Cypriot daily Politis and SİM FM, the radio owned by United Media, the same media company that also owns Yenidüzen.
In its first programme on June 15, programme hosts Pandelis Sophokleus and Nuri Sılay emphasized the importance of collaboration in Cyprus against climate change. Andreas Kettis, head of the Cyprus office of the European Parliament was the guest speaker during the first programme.
Kettis, expressing his belief that the bicommunal broadcast would help draw attention to environmental problems, added that the two communities could transform the problems on climate change into an opportunity and could collaborate and join forces to wage a fight against climate change.
Drawing attention to the EU Green Pact, Kettis added that the pact must also be implemented in the north, therefore the bicommunal programme is important in showing how to implement it.
Kettis said that Cyprus might be divided for now but there is only one ecosystem on the island. He added that the European Parliament will continue to support bicommunal activities for a sustainable ecosystem to prepare the island for post-solution.
The programme will air on SİM FM on Tuesdays from 10 am to 11 am and will air on Politis FM on Saturdays from 8 am to 9 am. Articles on environmental protection will also be published in Politis and Yenidüzen.
Tatar: Solution can only be based on two states
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar reiterated his known position and advocated for a two-state solution model based on sovereign equality and equal international status of the two sides during his meetings throughout the day on Wednesday.
Tatar, during meetings with various associations, noted that the only possible solution on the island was a two-state solution because of the Greek Cypriots reluctance to share power and wealth with the Turkish Cypriots and their rejection of all past solution plans.
He also added that the entire world must be informed about the Turkish Cypriot side’s positions as well as the Greek Cypriot side’s attitudes. In another meeting, Tatar drew attention to what he said were unjust embargoes imposed on Turkish Cypriots. He said he raised the issue regularly during his meetings with foreign dignitaries.
Tatar gave the example of a concert to be given by the Cercle /Kölsch at St. Hilarion castle which was cancelled at the last minute as a result of pressure from the Greek Cypriot authorities. He said despite unfair embargoes and all obstructions, the Turkish Cypriots successfully represent the north internationally.