The new Labour government must lead the world in resolving the Cyprus issue
Islamophobia is a problem in the United Kingdom. This is the message that we are continuing to hear from Muslim Communities. Since Hamas’s attack on Israel in October last year there has been a 365 per cent surge in anti-Muslim hate incidents across the UK.
Although the statistics are shocking, the UK is still one of the most tolerant countries in the world. We have a large Muslim population, the overwhelming majority of whom (94 per cent) feel able to practice their faith freely. Islamophobia is a challenge the UK must continue to fight to overcome – a formal definition of Islamophobia would be another great step forward.
Islamophobia is not just a problem in the UK, it is a global issue and there have been many occasions throughout modern history where crimes have perpetrated against Muslims. Perhaps, the most notable occasion was at Srebenica in 1995 – during a war sparked by religious and ethnic violence.
Many may be surprised to hear that there is still an ongoing conflict in Europe. For over 50 years, Cypriots have lived under the shadow of a frozen conflict between the Turkish Cypriot community and the Greek Cypriot community. This is another conflict marked by religion and ethnic ties. Ninety-nine per cent of Turkish Cypriots are Sunni Muslim, while in the south of the island around 90 per cent is Orthodox Christian and less than two per cent Muslim.
Cyprus used to be a united, federal power sharing state. This was overthrown, with Cyprus facing a military coup and growing ethnic paramilitary groups. Ethnic and religious tension eventually boiled over into open conflict between the two communities after a second military coup in 1974 attempted to force a union between Cyprus and Greece and to violently suppress Turkish Cypriots.
There has been an uneasy ceasefire on Cyprus between the two communities following Turkish and NATO peacekeeping interventions. However, this ceasefire has not led to equality for the two sides. Despite the Turkish Cypriots declaring their independence in 1983 and forming the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, they are internationally isolated and rejected with only Turkey recognising their status.
The next UK government has the opportunity to lead on resolving this frozen conflict. Europe has for too long ignored the Cyprus issue, which is a failure of diplomacy.
The UK has a strong history of supporting groups seeking to democratically assert their independence. We have sided with oppressed minorities that have looked to assert their independence from their oppressors. It is UK government policy to support a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians.
There are many potential benefits for us to forge close ties with the TRNC. We would gain major trade opportunities and strengthened relations with Turkey, a nation that is becoming increasingly important in the international arena.
What makes the TRNC so different? What makes it acceptable for us to only support the status of the Christian majority Greek Cypriot state?
Chet Ramadan is the Co-Chair of Freedom and Fairness for Northern Cyprus.
