Front Page Headlines
3,079 incidents of violence against women in the last three years
The number of women applying to the Police Intervention Unit for Violence Against Women is growing every year. The figures that have emerged are both alarming and sad. While 3,079 were subject to violence, 329 received threats. These figures are only those that have been reported to the police. According to police figures, 1,079 women filed complaints that they had been assaulted.
- “We can’t breathe, we are being poisoned” –The environmental disaster that has been going on at the Güngör (Koutoventis) landfill for the past four days has left hundreds of people with breathing problems. The current state of the solid waste storage landfill which had reorganised with an EU project following the years of heavy pollution caused by the Dikmen (Dikomo) landfill demonstrates that the country has thrown in the towel when it comes to environmental sensitivity.
Shocked with two tragic news
Mentally disabled Meryem Toprak, who had been missing for days, has been found dead. In a traffic accident on Tatlısu (Akanthou) – Geçitkale (Lefkonoiko) road, one person died, seven people, of whom four are in serious condition, were injured. We were shocked by the tragic news that came one after another.
- TRNC’s 38th anniversary – With the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Turkish Cypriots’ right to self-determination was announced to the entire world.
Nature destroyed by the people
322 fires were recorded in the TRNC from July 24 to November 8, causing damages worth ₺7,614.645 (€671,000). The majority of the fires were caused by cigarette stubs thrown out of passing cars.
- Tragic end for Meryem – Meryem’s dead body was found by hunters even though the police and hundreds have been searching for her for 20 days.
Happy holiday
There was a power cut in Nicosia yesterday which lasted for nine hours, angering citizens. The power cut which took place on the eve of celebrations marking the 38th anniversary of the establishment of the TRNC outraged residents. People who could not get around to do their chores on their off day lambasted the Cyprus Turkish Electricity Authority (KIBTEK). The authority had announced the power cuts in advance, stating that it was part of maintenance work. Speaking to Diyalog, the President of KIBTEK, Turan Büyükyılmaz defended the work being carried out stating that several of the transformers had been damaged due to the strong winds earlier in the week and that Nicosia had been at risk of plunging into darkness.
- It was valued at €3bn in 1974 –The Greek Cypriot owned properties in the north amounts to 2.6bn square meters.
But the treatment was fine
A protest was staged outside the hospital for eight-year-old Ceren, who died because of gross negligence and irresponsibility. The Turkish Cypriot Doctors’ Association (KTTB) said: “she could not be saved despite all efforts” and defended the doctors at the hospital, arguing that the criticisms directed at the doctors were baseless. KTTB shared the information obtained from the doctors attending to Ceren, arguing that all the necessary medical treatment was administered both at the emergency ward of the hospital and at the Pandemic Hospital. The KTTB urged both hospitals to make announcements on the case transparently.
Main News
Tatar & Sucuoğlu express support to the continuation of the TRNC
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar and Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu on Sunday said that the Turkish Cypriot community cannot abandon the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ (TRNC) and that the creation of the Turkish Cypriot state was the award of the Turkish Cypriots’ struggle for freedom and independence.
Both delivered statements marking the 38th anniversary of the declaration of the state. Tatar in his address to the nation aired on Bayrak said that it was out of the question for the Turkish Cypriots to abandon their state as this was the award of their decades of struggle to achieve freedom and independence.
The Turkish Cypriot leader reminded that Turkish Cypriots had their constitutional rights stripped following the outbreak of intercommunal violence which had, in the end, forced them to seek safety in isolated enclaves scattered across the island.
Tatar said that the foundations of the ‘TRNC’ had been laid in 1964 with the creation of the Temporary Turkish Cypriot Administration followed by the Turkish administration and Turkish Cypriot Autonomous Administration.
In 1975 the Cyprus Turkish Federated State was created and in 1983, the TRNC was established, he said. He said that the Turkish Cypriot side desired a just, lasting and sustainable solution in Cyprus but that any such settlement needed to be based on the realities on the island.
Tatar said that a two-state solution based on sovereign equality, not a federal settlement was the only way of achieving such a solution, adding that all attempts to establish a federal partnership on the island since 1968 had failed due to the Greek Cypriots’ mentality.
“Even though the TRNC is not recognised it doesn’t change the reality that it exists. It exists and will continue to exist. Our expectation and hope are for the Greek Cypriot side to accept this reality and approach our solution proposal,” he said.
Tatar added that it was out of the question for Turkish Cypriots to accept arguments that they are a minority, that they are no sovereign or that they cannot have an equal say in any state. He repeated that official negotiations cannot commence before the Turkish Cypriot state and its sovereignty are recognised.
Also touching upon the issue of Maraş (Varosha), the Turkish Cypriot leader said that the Greek Cypriot authorities were resorting to every possible method to prevent Greek Cypriots from applying to the Immovable Property Commission (IPC).
“Such efforts will not be successful in dissuading us from going ahead with our plans to reopen Maraş (Varosha) for settlement,” Tatar said.
On the issue of hydrocarbons, the Turkish Cypriot leader said that the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo and imperialist forces were trying to remove the existence of the TRNC and try to push Turkey away from the Eastern Mediterranean.
“Their main goal is to surround Turkey and to control the region’s energy resources. The Greek-Greek Cypriot duo is constantly purchasing arms intending to achieve this goal which is escalating tensions. We cannot remain a bystander to such attempts,” he warned.
Tatar said that the Turkish Cypriot side will continue to work together with Turkey to defend their strategic interests within the framework of the Blue Homeland doctrine.
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu said that the reality of the TRNC could no longer be ignored. In his address to mark the TRNC’s anniversary, Sucuoğlu drew attention to the fact that the Turkish Cypriot side despite its positive and constructive efforts as well the goodwill it has displayed continued to be ignored by the international community.
He said that the TRNC will continue to exist at all costs with the support of Turkey.
Meanwhile, Various ceremonies are being held in the north on Monday, including an annual military parade in Nicosia to mark the 83rd anniversary of the TRNC. Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay and other guests from Turkey will be attending this year’s celebrations.
KEY ACTORS
Tatar (UBP)
>> TCs cannot abandon ‘TRNC.’
>> TC side desires a just, lasting, & sustainable solution in Cyprus but based on realities on the island.
>> A two-state solution is the only feasible option on the island.
>> TC side expects & hopes GC side will accept the realities on the island.
>> TC side cannot remain a bystander against attempts by Greek-GC duo & imperialist powers to block Turkey in the East Med.
>> TC side will continue to work together with Turkey within the framework of Blue Homeland doctrine.
Sucuoğlu (UBP)
>> ‘TRNC’ reality cannot be ignored anymore.
>> ‘TRNC’ will continue to exist at all costs with the support of Turkey.
North’s new PM Sucuoğlu says Turkey & north are inseparable
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Governance & Power Sharing, Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The north’s newly appointed Prime Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu has said Turkey and the north was inseparable. In an interview with Turkey’s Anadolu News Agency published in the Turkish Cypriot media on Sunday, Sucuoğlu said his government’s priority will be to address the country’s economic problems but added that further strengthening relations with Ankara, the Cyprus Issue, Maraş (Varosha) and developments in the Eastern Mediterranean will also be in the fore.
Highlighting the importance of Ankara’s support to the north in every field, he said that Turkish Cypriots have never broken their ties with Turkey.
On the Cyprus Issue, Sucuoğlu expressed full support to Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar and his vision for a two-state solution based on sovereign equality. “We are in 100 per cent harmony with Mr Tatar on the Cyprus issue and we shall continue to support his policies, particularly for a two-state solution in Cyprus,” he said.
Also touching upon developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, Sucuoğlu said that it was Turkey’s presence in the region, through the Turkish Cypriots, that was vital. He added that the Turkish Cypriot side together with Turkey will continue to wage a struggle to maintain its rights in the Eastern Mediterranean as part of the Blue Homeland doctrine.
“If the Greek Cypriots drill, we will drill at three more locations. We shall continue to act with determination and Turkey is with us all the way,” the prime minister said. On the fenced-off town of Maraş (Varosha), Sucuoğlu also said that the initiative to reopen the town to settlement phase by phase will continue.
“It was wrong to keep Maraş (Varosha) closed and fenced-off for 50 years. This was an important tourism hotspot, and it was wrong to abandon it to decay. The approach being adopted right now is the right one and we support it,” he added.
Sucuoğlu also said that he was ready to visit Ankara if such an invitation was made.
KEY ACTORS
Sucuoğlu (UBP)
>> Government’s priority will be the economy but Cyprob, East Med & Maraş (Varosha) also in the fore.
>> New government fully supports Tatar’s two-state solution policy on Cyprob.
>> Maraş (Varosha) initiative to continue as planned. It was a mistake to keep the city fenced off for 50 years.
>> TC side together with Ankara will continue to defend interests in East Med, taking reciprocal steps when necessary.
Suspect arrived by boat from Turkey together with 11 others
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Avrupa
Human Rights
OVERVIEW
An undocumented Syrian migrant surrendered to the police in north Nicosia on November 13, informing them that he had arrived by boat at the north together with 11 others.
The police officer in charge of the investigation informed the court the suspect had surrendered to the police himself and gave a voluntary testimony.
The officer said the migrants embarked on their journey from Mersin, Turkey and arrived in an unknown location in Kyrenia. He also told the court the police are currently looking for the remaining 11 migrants.
The court ordered the suspect to be remanded for three more days until the police conclude their investigation.