A group of Turkish Cypriots seeking overseas voting rights are to hold their first conference in the UK later this month.
The Committee for Turkish Cypriot Expatriate Rights, which supports the extension of voting rights to citizens living abroad, is told a conference next week to discuss the matter.
The committee has decided to work with Osman Kasapoğlu, a Turkish Cypriot lawyer, in presenting what it calls a “professional solution proposal” to all of Cyprus’s political parties, to the media and to non-governmental organisations.
They will also hold a series of conferences around the world to discuss the proposals, including meetings in the Australian towns of Sydney and Melbourne.
Two conferences will be held in London – one at the old persons’ association in Catford and the other at the Turkish Cypriot Communication Association in Green Lanes – before a grand finale in Cyprus.
Mr Kasapoğlu will brief visitors on appropriate election models and appropriate voting models during the events.
“The right to elect and be elected is an indispensable duty of citizenship outlined in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus constitution for every citizen without discrimiantion. `
The South London conference will be held at 7pm on Tuesday 23 June at the St Laurence Centre, 37 Bromley Rd, Catford, SE6 2TS, while the North London event takes place the following night at the same time at the Turkish Cypriot Cultural Centre, 628 – 630 Green Lanes, Haringay, London N8 0SD.