More than 50% of Members of Parliament in the United Kingdom—over 325 MPs—have received emails from British citizens, mainly of Cypriot origin but not exclusively, reminding them of the Cyprus issue.
These emails are part of the annual online campaign #HandsOffCyprus, organized every year by the National Federation of Cypriots in the United Kingdom. This year, the campaign marks the 51st anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus on July 20.
“Each year, the anniversary of the Turkish invasion and the continued occupation of Cyprus serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to intensify our efforts for the reunification of the island. This need becomes even more pressing when one considers Turkey’s continued stance in favor of partition,” said Christos Karaolis, President of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, speaking to the Cyprus News Agency.
Karaolis also stressed that “this year’s campaign is especially important. On the one hand, we have a large number of newly elected MPs (estimated at 50%), and on the other hand, we have the renewed effort by the United Nations to restart negotiations. That is why now, more than ever, it is crucial for all of us to raise our voices.”
The online campaign, available at the website cypriotfederation.org.uk/mp, allows users to send the message with just a few clicks, in less than 30 seconds. According to the Federation, it is a simple action with a significant political impact, as it delivers a clear message to the British government and Parliament.
At the same time, the Federation’s statement highlights that this year’s campaign takes place at a time of increased international interest in restarting negotiations on the Cyprus issue. The United Kingdom, as one of the Guarantor Powers of the Republic of Cyprus, bears a special responsibility for resolving the issue and restoring international legality on the island. This initiative carries special significance in light of the informal summit taking place in New York.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
An informal meeting on Cyprus in a broader format, chaired by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, begins on Wednesday in New York.