15.11.2019 – The Union of Cypriots condemns the dark anniversary of the “Unilateral Declaration of Independence” (UDI) of the pseudo-state in the occupied areas 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 territorial integrity 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.
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 “bicommunal bizonal 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 (e.g., Özker Özgür, Alpay Durduran) of today’s smaller federalist political parties, such as the YKP (New Cyprus Party) and the BKP (United Cyprus Party), also cast their votes for the UDI as members of the CTP and TKP (which later became the TDP).
The flag, designed by Turkish-speaking Cypriot Emin Çizenel following the unilateral declaration of independence and painted on the Pentadaktylos, was accepted as the flag of the pseudo-state by the occupying regime on March 7, 1984.
As an organization, we want to reiterate that Rauf Denktaş, the advocate of the UDI, was also one of the architects of the current “bicommunal bizonal federal solution” proposal in Cyprus, supported by Western powers.
The Union of Cypriots remains resolute in leading the fight against any separatist and segregationist so-called “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
