MEP Michael Cashman`s visit to Northern Cyprus
04/03/2009
Submitted by
Initiative Against Homophobia Cyprus
Initiative Against Homophobia, a civil society organisation, has been fervently and arduously working towards amending the Chapter 154 of the Criminal Penal Code and all other pertaining legislation which dates back to British Colonial Time and declares all forms of homosexual acts as unnatural therefore discriminates against sexual identity and sexual orientation and infringes upon the basic human rights provisions of the individual.
Since our day of establishment, we have developed collaborations and close links with national and international organisations to advance the basic fundamental rights of and support our endeavours to change the existing legislation the LGBT community in North Cyprus. In all these productive efforts we have received an immense support from the Michael Cashman who serves as the Member of the European Parliament and The Chairperson of the Gay and Lesbian Rights Intergroup. His visit to North Cyprus between the dates 21-24th of February was of principal importance to us. Previously, Initiative prepared and presented its proposal on Amendment of the existing legislation to Fatma Ekenoglu, Chairperson of the National Parliament, on 25th of April, 2008 to be reviewed and discussed in the Parliamentary Legal Committee. We perceived this visit as an opportunity to create a political pressure on the government and organise range of events in order to expedite the process and pressurize the government to take immediate action to review this proposal and take immediate necessary actions in changing the legislation in accordance with our propositions.
21st of February, 2009 Saturday
We have organised a panel discussion on “LGBT Rights and the role of EU”. The panel has been moderated by the sociologist Dogus Derya and has welcomed the MEP and the Gay and Lesbian Rights Intergroup Chairperson Michael Cashman who gave a speech on “The Role of EU in Social and Legal Change in North Cyprus”. Panel also hosted various other informative and important presentations and speeches such as “ The Legal Aspects of the LGBT issues in North Cyprus” delivered by Oncel Polili, Human Rights Lawyer for Turkish Cypriot Human Rights Foundation, and “ Being an LGBT individual in North Cyprus” delivered by Ziliha Uluboy Ozkan, Psychologist and Activist for Initiative Against Homophobia.
The panel, which is organised in collaboration with the Initiative and European Parliament Gay and Lesbian Rights Intergroup was open to public and has received a great interest as being the first event of its kind. It also attracted a large scale interest and created a considerable clamour in the media as well. The panel has been attended by large number of people, both LGBT and non LGBT, who have not only been listeners but participated with their questions on wide range of issues which also carried the meaning of this event beyond its scope. This also serves as a string testament and a clear encouragement that such activities should continue in the future.
22nd of February, 2009- Sunday
The program “Agenda Human Rights” which is being prepared and presented in Sim FM by Oncel Polili, Human Rights Lawyer for Turkish Cypriot Human Rights Foundation has been recorded. The programmed touched upon the visit of the Michael Cashman, LGBT Rights and stressed the fact that besides his role in the Gay and Lesbian Rights Intergroup, Michael Cashman also serves as the member of the Civil Rights Committee, and Petition Committee.
23rd of February, 2009- Monday and 24th of February, 2009- Tuesday
Visits to President, Chairperson of the Parliament, Political Parties and Civil Society Organisations.
Overall, the visits have proved to be prolific in terms of providing an opportunity to exchange views and information among the parties involved. During visits, the importance have been placed on the fact that the LGBT Rights and people can not be treated in oblivion rather steps and actions must be taken to bring measures which afford equality and provide solutions to social and legal problems faced by LGBT people. In his entire official visit, Michael Cashman has stressed upon the fact that the major aim of his visit to North Cyprus is to support the efforts and the political struggle initiated by the Initiative Against Homophobia and render any possible long term support required to bring change in legal and social terms which can help to eliminate discrimination of LGBT community. He also stated that the he will eagerly follow up on the any efforts by political parties or government per se and he will continue to sustain his constructive relationship with the Initiative.
In receiving the Michael Cashman and representatives of the Initiative, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Mehmet Ali Talat stated that he will be taking a very detailed and through approach in analysing the issue and also further explained that the legislation and legal provisions which concerns sexual identity and orientation will be handled within the remit of the EU Compliance Programme of the government. Furthermore, President also promised to provide support for the Initiative in their application to become a legally recognised organisation upon the indication made by the representatives of the Initiative that their application to District Office has been turned down by Chief Legal Office due to the existing laws and legislation which does not permit the inscription of such a organisation.
In their visit to Fatma Ekenoglu has indicated that Initiative has paid him a visit on 25th of February, 2008 and presented the Proposal on Changing the Current Penal Code to be examined in Parliamentary Legal Committee however not much has been done since then. She has also stated that both the Government and Parliament has a compelling need to address the changes needed as part of the government programme of Compliance with EU and European Human Rights provisions. During meeting, she has also assured that the she is a devoted supporter of the social and legal regulations needed to bring change.
In their visit to Omer Kalyoncu, General Secretary of Republican Turkish Party- Unified Front has stated that some initiatives have been started to change the already existing Penal Code however some frictions and resistance as well as traditional prejudices are hindering the progress. He vouched that as part of the strategy of his party, he and his party will earnestly bring the issue of legislative change into their agenda as part of their commitment of integration to EU.
Hasan Tacoy, Parliamentarian from National Unity Party, has also welcomed the representatives of the Initiative and Cashman and asserted that their mutual contact with Cashman has been going on for a while and they have had the chance to discuss the difficulties LGBT community faces in North Cyprus. He also assured the group that as a party they will be providing the genuine support to the proposal to change the discriminative features of the existing Penal Code.
Murat Kanatli, The General Secretary of New Cyprus Party, has indicated that as a person and a political party, they have actively took part in forming the initiative and they are the only party who directly incorporate the fight against the elimination of the discrimination towards LGBT community in their agenda. He also stated that they will integrate LGBT rights and provisions to their party regulations and they will always support the Initiative.
Mehmet Cakici, The leader of the Socialist Democracy Party , clearly indicated the reality that there exist laws and regulations in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus which date back to British Colonial Rule. He stated that one of the most principal needs of the TRNC is a profound legal reform programme which puts TRNC on par with the international practices. He confirmed the fact that LGBT rights are part of the general human rights provisions and has to be dealt with as such. He also assured the group that they are ready to provide every possible support to the Initiative in their future efforts.
Emine Erk, Chairperson of the Turkish Cypriot Human Rights Foundation, has flagged up the fact that they have been in extensive contact and cooperation with the Initiative since their early establishment. She also emphasised the fact that LGBT rights are part of the wider Human Rights and they will always work in the closest possible cooperation with the Initiative to eradicate the possible impediments to their advancement in North Cyprus.
Sener Ecil, The General Secretary of the Cyprus Turkish Teachers Union, has also stated that they have always been one of the main supporters of the Initiative and stressed upon the crucial role of education and teachers in removing the social prejudices and pressures and legal barriers to obtain equality. They have also assured the group that they will be committed supporters of the initiative in their future endeavours and activities.
Initiative Against Homophobia(On behalf of) 25th February 2009
Hüseyin Çavuşoğlu
Since our day of establishment, we have developed collaborations and close links with national and international organisations to advance the basic fundamental rights of and support our endeavours to change the existing legislation the LGBT community in North Cyprus. In all these productive efforts we have received an immense support from the Michael Cashman who serves as the Member of the European Parliament and The Chairperson of the Gay and Lesbian Rights Intergroup. His visit to North Cyprus between the dates 21-24th of February was of principal importance to us. Previously, Initiative prepared and presented its proposal on Amendment of the existing legislation to Fatma Ekenoglu, Chairperson of the National Parliament, on 25th of April, 2008 to be reviewed and discussed in the Parliamentary Legal Committee. We perceived this visit as an opportunity to create a political pressure on the government and organise range of events in order to expedite the process and pressurize the government to take immediate action to review this proposal and take immediate necessary actions in changing the legislation in accordance with our propositions.
21st of February, 2009 Saturday
We have organised a panel discussion on “LGBT Rights and the role of EU”. The panel has been moderated by the sociologist Dogus Derya and has welcomed the MEP and the Gay and Lesbian Rights Intergroup Chairperson Michael Cashman who gave a speech on “The Role of EU in Social and Legal Change in North Cyprus”. Panel also hosted various other informative and important presentations and speeches such as “ The Legal Aspects of the LGBT issues in North Cyprus” delivered by Oncel Polili, Human Rights Lawyer for Turkish Cypriot Human Rights Foundation, and “ Being an LGBT individual in North Cyprus” delivered by Ziliha Uluboy Ozkan, Psychologist and Activist for Initiative Against Homophobia.
The panel, which is organised in collaboration with the Initiative and European Parliament Gay and Lesbian Rights Intergroup was open to public and has received a great interest as being the first event of its kind. It also attracted a large scale interest and created a considerable clamour in the media as well. The panel has been attended by large number of people, both LGBT and non LGBT, who have not only been listeners but participated with their questions on wide range of issues which also carried the meaning of this event beyond its scope. This also serves as a string testament and a clear encouragement that such activities should continue in the future.
22nd of February, 2009- Sunday
The program “Agenda Human Rights” which is being prepared and presented in Sim FM by Oncel Polili, Human Rights Lawyer for Turkish Cypriot Human Rights Foundation has been recorded. The programmed touched upon the visit of the Michael Cashman, LGBT Rights and stressed the fact that besides his role in the Gay and Lesbian Rights Intergroup, Michael Cashman also serves as the member of the Civil Rights Committee, and Petition Committee.
23rd of February, 2009- Monday and 24th of February, 2009- Tuesday
Visits to President, Chairperson of the Parliament, Political Parties and Civil Society Organisations.
Overall, the visits have proved to be prolific in terms of providing an opportunity to exchange views and information among the parties involved. During visits, the importance have been placed on the fact that the LGBT Rights and people can not be treated in oblivion rather steps and actions must be taken to bring measures which afford equality and provide solutions to social and legal problems faced by LGBT people. In his entire official visit, Michael Cashman has stressed upon the fact that the major aim of his visit to North Cyprus is to support the efforts and the political struggle initiated by the Initiative Against Homophobia and render any possible long term support required to bring change in legal and social terms which can help to eliminate discrimination of LGBT community. He also stated that the he will eagerly follow up on the any efforts by political parties or government per se and he will continue to sustain his constructive relationship with the Initiative.
In receiving the Michael Cashman and representatives of the Initiative, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Mehmet Ali Talat stated that he will be taking a very detailed and through approach in analysing the issue and also further explained that the legislation and legal provisions which concerns sexual identity and orientation will be handled within the remit of the EU Compliance Programme of the government. Furthermore, President also promised to provide support for the Initiative in their application to become a legally recognised organisation upon the indication made by the representatives of the Initiative that their application to District Office has been turned down by Chief Legal Office due to the existing laws and legislation which does not permit the inscription of such a organisation.
In their visit to Fatma Ekenoglu has indicated that Initiative has paid him a visit on 25th of February, 2008 and presented the Proposal on Changing the Current Penal Code to be examined in Parliamentary Legal Committee however not much has been done since then. She has also stated that both the Government and Parliament has a compelling need to address the changes needed as part of the government programme of Compliance with EU and European Human Rights provisions. During meeting, she has also assured that the she is a devoted supporter of the social and legal regulations needed to bring change.
In their visit to Omer Kalyoncu, General Secretary of Republican Turkish Party- Unified Front has stated that some initiatives have been started to change the already existing Penal Code however some frictions and resistance as well as traditional prejudices are hindering the progress. He vouched that as part of the strategy of his party, he and his party will earnestly bring the issue of legislative change into their agenda as part of their commitment of integration to EU.
Hasan Tacoy, Parliamentarian from National Unity Party, has also welcomed the representatives of the Initiative and Cashman and asserted that their mutual contact with Cashman has been going on for a while and they have had the chance to discuss the difficulties LGBT community faces in North Cyprus. He also assured the group that as a party they will be providing the genuine support to the proposal to change the discriminative features of the existing Penal Code.
Murat Kanatli, The General Secretary of New Cyprus Party, has indicated that as a person and a political party, they have actively took part in forming the initiative and they are the only party who directly incorporate the fight against the elimination of the discrimination towards LGBT community in their agenda. He also stated that they will integrate LGBT rights and provisions to their party regulations and they will always support the Initiative.
Mehmet Cakici, The leader of the Socialist Democracy Party , clearly indicated the reality that there exist laws and regulations in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus which date back to British Colonial Rule. He stated that one of the most principal needs of the TRNC is a profound legal reform programme which puts TRNC on par with the international practices. He confirmed the fact that LGBT rights are part of the general human rights provisions and has to be dealt with as such. He also assured the group that they are ready to provide every possible support to the Initiative in their future efforts.
Emine Erk, Chairperson of the Turkish Cypriot Human Rights Foundation, has flagged up the fact that they have been in extensive contact and cooperation with the Initiative since their early establishment. She also emphasised the fact that LGBT rights are part of the wider Human Rights and they will always work in the closest possible cooperation with the Initiative to eradicate the possible impediments to their advancement in North Cyprus.
Sener Ecil, The General Secretary of the Cyprus Turkish Teachers Union, has also stated that they have always been one of the main supporters of the Initiative and stressed upon the crucial role of education and teachers in removing the social prejudices and pressures and legal barriers to obtain equality. They have also assured the group that they will be committed supporters of the initiative in their future endeavours and activities.
Initiative Against Homophobia(On behalf of) 25th February 2009
Hüseyin Çavuşoğlu
