Turkish Cypriots raise the TRNC flag at Waltham Forest

THE 38th anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus(TRNC) was celebrated not only in Northern Cyprus but also in different countries.

Turkish Cypriots living in London celebrated the 15 November Republic Day at Waltham Forest Town Hall. Turkish Cypriots, who sang the National Anthem, also raised the TRNC flag.

For the first time in England, the TRNC flag flew over an official town hall. Emotional moments were experienced in the event, which was attended by about 50 people.

Local Conservative Councillor Halil ‘Nick’ Halebi and neighbourhood resident Allen Windsor were behind the initiative, which took place on the 38th anniversary of the proclamation of the TRNC on November 15, 1983.

Cllr Halebi said that he and Windsor had struggled for many years to have the TRNC flag hanged in the Town Hall on special occasions, but their applications were always rejected by the municipal authorities. Waltham Forest Council officials had previously objected, citing various reasons, such as TRNC Independence Day “not an official event recognized by the UK authorities.”

TRNC FLAG FLYING WAS TAKEN DOWN

The hanging of the TRNC flag was short-lived, it was removed on the afternoon of November 15, following the complaints of a number of anti-Turkish groups it was meant to fly until the end of the day as originally agreed.

Waltham Forest Council leader Grace Williams issued a statement saying: “Waltham Forest Council apologises for the offence caused by the raising of the flag of Northern Cyprus which has now been removed. We accept this remains a disputed territory not recognised by the UK Government and will not be raising it in future.”

Saying: “…Our intention is to celebrate our communities, not cause division, and apologise for the offence caused.”

However many Turkish Cypriot’s living in the borough and London have found the removal and statement on the flag raising to be dismissal of the community Turkish Cypriot rights and existence.  Over a thousand people have signed a petition that has been made calling for Williams to resign.

 Cllr Halebi made the following announcement in regards to the council leader’s statement: “Cllr Williams said that she “apologises for the offence caused by the raising of the flag of Northern Cyprus” essentially putting the feelings of Greek Cypriots before those of thousands of Turkish Cypriots in the borough. She has also announced a ban on the TRNC flag ever being flown by the Council, with zero consultation. Do the views of your Turkish Cypriot origin citizens not matter, Cllr Williams? Moreover, the Council has no problem flying the flags of unrecognised nations such as Tibet, but it has a problem with the national flag of the Muslim Cypriot Turkish community. Why?

“Turkish Cypriots are already subjected to appalling levels of discrimination because of the unjust embargoes on their North Cyprus homeland. Their fundamental human rights are undermined in every sphere of life. And, at a time when we are living through unprecedented levels of Islamophobia, our own Council Leader seeks to further vilify this Muslim minority community and treat them as second class citizens in their own borough by banning their flag and apologising for the offence their existence and identity causes! It is racism of the worst order and it must be condemned.”