Turkish Cypriots protest in London on 60th anniversary of UN decision

Turkish Cypriots stage protest outside UK Parliament on 60th anniversary of Resolution 186, which called for a peacekeeping force to be sent to Cyprus

Turkish Cypriots gathered outside the Parliament of the United Kingdom to stage a protest on the 60th anniversary of Resolution 186, dated March 4, 1964, which called for a peacekeeping force to be sent to Cyprus by the United Nations Security Council.

Organized by the British Turkish Cypriot Associations Council (BTCA) and a civil society organization named “Embargoed,” the protest took place in the square outside the UK Parliament, where Turkish Cypriots demanded the annulment of the aforementioned resolution issued by the UN Security Council in 1964.

Carrying flags of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and banners reading “Not a peace force, but an occupier,” “UK was mistaken about Cyprus,” and “Enough with the 60-year decision of the UN Security Council,” demonstrators also wore masks with the word “embargoed” written on them.

Turkish Cypriots participating in the protest in the UK highlighted that Resolution 186 of the UN Security Council has led to the isolation of the TRNC and called for its withdrawal.

Kenan Yaman, President of the BTCA, stated in a press release during the protest that the UN Peacekeeping Force was deployed to Cyprus following Resolution 186 issued by the UN Security Council on March 4, 1964.

Yaman emphasized, “Their aim was to allegedly protect us, the Turkish Cypriots, but since that day, the Greek Cypriot Administration, under the name of the ‘Republic of Cyprus,’ has usurped all our rights.”

Pointing out that the Greek side used the aforementioned UN resolution as a pretext to deprive Turkish Cypriots of their rights and impose embargoes on the TRNC, Yaman said:

“We are here today to protest against this decision. We demand the amendment or withdrawal of this decision made by the UK because the root cause of the problem in Cyprus lies in the decision of the UN Security Council. It is clear that Cyprus is in a deadlock because of this. We want this to be rectified.”

Yaman expressed that Turkish Cypriots advocate for a solution based on a two-state model in the island and stressed, “It is imperative that our rights are restored. Otherwise, the Cyprus issue cannot be resolved in any way or form.”

Yaman drew attention to one of the rights deprived of Turkish Cypriots, which is the isolation of the TRNC from the rest of the world, stating that direct flights to the TRNC should be initiated to end this isolation. “Türkiye is our only window to the world,” said Yaman, adding: “I cannot write a letter from here, the UK, and send it directly to Cyprus. Isn’t this a violation of my human rights? It will go directly to Türkiye. I will provide an address there, and it will go to Cyprus from there. It might take months, or even get lost on the way. Our elderly, young children, and pregnant women cannot fly directly from here to Cyprus. It must go via Türkiye. It will land in Türkiye, go through security, then board another plane, and finally arrive in Cyprus. Isn’t this a violation of our rights? Can’t we go to our country whenever we want? This mistake must be corrected.”

Yaman pointed out that due to the embargo, direct trade cannot be conducted with the TRNC, saying, “We cannot send anything directly from here. There is no export or import. All of this is due to Resolution 186. Our most fundamental problem is this decision, and we object to it. It has been 60 years. This decision must be lifted, and our rights must be restored.”

Source: Anadolu Agency