Why should Cypriot refugees have the right to vote?
The myth that Turkey’s revisionist history creates is that in 1974 “Greek Cypriots voluntarily abandoned their homes and moved south.” The reality is that in 1974 Turkey invaded Cyprus and Greek, Maronite and Armenian Cypriots were forced to flee for their safety. To this day the Turkish army prevents them from returning to their homes. Those refugees who fled overseas are unlikely to meet the current requisite residency criteria for voting in a Cyprus settlement referendum. Many people’s experience is that these individual live with the dream of the right to return to their homeland, free from foreign occupation. This is particularly true for those in the diaspora. The fact that they have been forcefully displaced and deprived of their land should not be seen as a factor against them. On the contrary, it is an argument in favour of them having the right to vote on their future, on whether they are repatriated or permanently displaced. They had no control over being forced from their homes. They must be empowered to have a say in their future.
Who should have the right to vote in the diaspora?
We do not believe that the right to vote should only be limited to refugees. Having researched current global trends on eligibility criteria and global practices in recent elections, it is clear that basing the right to vote on residency is an outdated mode of thinking. In fact a number of countries are currently reforming their laws so that their citizens do not lose their right to vote in elections, no matter how long they are away from their country. This is why the supporters of this Right to vote campaign believe it is important not to disenfranchise Cypriots of the diaspora. They have played a crucial role in rebuilding Cyprus after the 1974 invasion and after each other crises that followed. Their non-residence status has not diminished their links with Cyprus, nor their commitment to finding a just settlement to end the Turkish occupation.
Who supports the right to vote?
Support for this campaign comes from the Cypriot refugee associations, other diaspora associations worldwide and many individuals.
What is the Cyprus government position on the right to vote and why?
The official position is that in order to have the right to vote in a Cyprus settlement referendum, individuals must be resident in Cyprus for six months prior to the date of a referendum.
How can the right to vote be implemented?
Referenda differ to presidential and local elections and so are subject to other laws and rules. What is required is not a constitutional amendment, or a permanent change. An ad hoc law would need to be passed by the Cyprus House of Representatives for a specific Cyprus settlement referendum in order to extend the right to vote to those in the diaspora.
Are there any examples of out of country voting?
Yes, there are plenty of examples of overseas voting, for example the initial Iraq and Afghanistan elections following the wars. Recently a precedent was set for out-of-country voting for Sudanese refugees and those with Sudanese ancestry through the South Sudan Referendum Act. The Referendum Act on South Sudan granted the right to vote to those not registered to three categories of individuals: those with one parent from an indigenous population and resident before 1956; those with traceable ancestry to an ethnic community without a residency requirement; and by permanent residency of a parent or grandparent. Similarly, the Bosnia and Herzegovina Dayton Peace Accord guaranteed that refugees would not lose their right to vote, no matter how long they were away for. The key reason was that to exclude refugees would compromise the legitimacy of the democratic process.
How can I take action?
Sign the online petition and encourage others to do so as well. Go to www.lobbyforcyprus.wordpress.com/righttovote
Why should I sign the petition?
It is important that the government of Cyprus realises that this is something that not only the Cypriots of the diaspora want, but that it is widely supported by society across the world. This is why it is important to get a critical mass behind the petition.
Who can sign the petition?
Anyone can sign the petition; you do not need to be a refugee or Cypriot. We already have the support of people from throughout the world.
Find out more
Lobby for Cyprus seminar: The right to vote in referenda – global trends and eligibility.
Tuesday 24 May 2016 at 7.30pm, The Hellenic Centre, 16-18 Paddington Street, Marylebone, London W1U 5AS. RSVP +44 020 8888 2556 or admin@lobbyforcyprus.org