15.11.2019 – The Union of Cypriots condemns the anniversary of the “Unilateral Declaration of Independence” (UDI) of the pseudo-state in the occupied sections of Cyprus.
On November 15, 1983, the Turkish-speaking Cypriot leader Rauf Denktaş and his associates, with the support of the US-backed military junta government in Turkey, declared an illegal state in the northern part of the island.
The UDI of the pseudo-state not only further compromised the independence of Cyprus but also led to the establishment of a regime of terror imposed upon the Turkish-speaking Cypriots by Turkey. Following the UDI, the Turkish military assumed complete authority in the occupied areas, resulting in heightened social, cultural, and economic oppression faced by the Turkish-speaking Cypriot population. Raif Denktaş, a leftist politician and the son of Rauf Denktaş, became the victim of assassination due to his opposition against Turkey’s settler colonialism in the occupied area following the UDI.
Through this statement, we publicly disclose the list of Turkish-speaking Cypriots who voted “YES” for the UDI on November 15, 1983. It is crucial to emphasize that all parties in the so-called “parliament” of the occupation regime endorsed this action on that day. This includes the supporters of the present-day “bizonal bicommunal federation” and the sister parties of AKEL (Progressive Party of the Working People) in the occupied areas, namely CTP (Republican Turkish Party) and TDP (Social Democratic Party). Additionally, the founders and leaders of smaller political parties such as YKP (New Cyprus Party) and BKP (United Cyprus Party) also cast their votes for the UDI as members of CTP and TKP (now TDP).
As an organization, we want to reiterate that Rauf Denktaş, the advocate of the UDI, was also one of the architects of the current “bizonal bicommunal federal solution” proposal in Cyprus, supported by Western powers.
The Union of Cypriots remains resolute in leading the fight against any separatist and segregationist “solution proposals” that would transform our homeland into an island of apartheid. We will continue in our struggle for a unitary, secular, democratic, and independent Cyprus.
Respectfully announced to the public.
Union of Cypriots
