24 April 2004 was a watershed moment in the lives of Greek and Turkish Cypriots;
it was the day they took part in the historic referenda for a comprehensive Cyprus Settlement based on the UN's Annan Plan.
75% of Greek Cypriots voted against the Plan 65% of Turkish Cypriots voted in favour of the Plan
As a consequence, the international community pledged to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people.
Almost a year later and not a single embargo has been lifted - the people of North Cyprus remain politically, economically, socially isolated from the world.
Turkish Cypriots have been deprived of their fundamental human rights for the past 41 years.
Foreword
A year ago, on 24 April 2004, the world held its breath as North and South Cyprus separately and simultaneously participated in the historic referenda for a "Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem". Based on the United Nations sponsored Annan Plan, this settlement would have seen the Greek and Turkish Cypriots come together once more to share political power in a united Cyprus. The results, an overwhelming "no" from Greek Cypriots and substantial "yes" vote from Turkish Cypriots, meant that the best chance in decades for a Cyprus settlement had been eluded.
Ironically, it was the Greek Cypriots who had the best outcome. Ten days after their negative returns at the ballot box, they had their prized entry into the EU. From there, they have continued to obstruct international efforts to end the four decades of embargoes against Turkish Cypriots. The EU Council of Ministers had given a mandate for direct trade with, and an aid package for, North Cyprus. Countries such as the UK and US made promises to establish direct flights to North Cyprus, but all attempts have been blocked by the Herculean might of the tiny so-called Republic of Cyprus.
Greek Cypriots seek to thwart every element of progress in North Cyprus. Recent tactics include intimidating potential foreign purchasers of property in the North through aggressive court actions that threaten jail sentences, to lobbying Transport for London to ban North Cyprus holiday adverts - which they achieved. It is sad for Turkish Cypriots to see their neighbours stooping to such levels, instead of seeking to match the good will that is now evident in the actions of the authorities in the North.
Even the much-touted EU Green Line Directive that aimed to encourage economic cooperation between the North and South has failed to deliver. Although Greek Cypriots businesses can cross the border to sell their wares, travel in their own commercial vehicles (coaches, lorries, taxis) and advertise in the North Cyprus press, they refuse to allow Turkish Cypriots to do the same.
The United Kingdom (UK), with its close historical ties to the island, and large Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities in London, has sought to play a forward role on ending the Turkish Cypriot isolation. In February 2005, a report by the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) declared, "…that undertakings given to Turkish Cypriots by the international community must be honoured. We recommend that the Government do more to turn its words into action…" This was echoed by Jack Straw, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in April 2005 in his response to the FAC report, where he stated that both direct trade and aid to North Cyprus needed to be delivered, "…to fulfil the mandate EU Ministers gave to the Commission in April 2004 on ending the economic isolation of the Turkish Cypriots."
Sadly, after 365 days of waiting, the party has gone flat for Turkish Cypriots. Hundreds of promises made, none kept. Their high hopes of 24 April 2004 and the days immediately after that global citizenship beckoned have been left in tatters. They continue to be left hostage to a political situation they have no control over.
Embargoed! hope that, on the eve of the anniversary of the Annan Plan referenda, these testimonies will serve as timely reminder to the international community that Turkish Cypriots have not forgotten their promises. After 41 years living under embargoes, they are still waiting for the world to honour their words and restore their fundamental human rights.
Testimony: A World of Broken Promises
There follows eight pages of promises made by the world's political leaders and institutions (see below for list) to end the isolation of Turkish Cypriots living in North Cyprus. Sadly, to date, not a single embargo has been lifted.
