Thousands of emails have been sent to Members of the UK Parliament in recent weeks as part of the #HandsOffCyprus campaign organised by the National Federation of Cypriots in the United Kingdom to mark 52 years since the beginning of the Turkish invasion and the continued occupation of part of the Republic of Cyprus.
According to a statement issued by the Federation, the online campaign has already generated thousands of messages to more than half of all Members of the House of Commons, with the aim of keeping the Cyprus issue high on the United Kingdom’s political agenda.
The central message of this year’s campaign is that the British Government should make every possible effort to encourage Turkey to return to the negotiating table for a Cyprus settlement based on the agreed United Nations framework, in accordance with international law and the European Union acquis.
Federation President Christos Karaolis thanked the Cypriot community for its support of the campaign so far, noting that each year the initiative succeeds in reaching more than 50% of British MPs.
‘This sends a clear message to every Member of Parliament that the British Cypriot community remains firmly committed to finding a solution to the Cyprus issue. We must continue our efforts to make it clear that Cypriots wish to see an end to Turkey’s illegal and ongoing occupation,’ Karaolis said.
The Federation is encouraging those who have not yet taken part in the campaign to contact the MP representing their constituency and to share the initiative with relatives and friends, stressing that the process takes only a few seconds and helps ensure that the Cyprus issue remains on the UK political agenda.
The #HandsOffCyprus campaign is organised annually by the British Cypriot community ahead of the anniversary of the 1974 Turkish invasion. Its objective is to inform and raise awareness among British MPs about developments concerning Cyprus and the community’s position in support of the reunification of the island.
The online campaign, available at cypriotfederation.org.uk/mp, enables participants to send their message in less than 30 seconds. According to the Federation, it is a simple action with significant political impact, conveying a clear message to both the British Government and Parliament.
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.