2011 Turkish Cypriot protests
| Communal Survival Rallies | |
|---|---|
 Protesters in front of the Turkish embassy | |
| Location | Nicosia |
| Number | |
| 50,000–80,000 | |
In 2011, a series of rallies were held by Turkish Cypriots in North Nicosia against Turkey's policies on Cyprus.[1][2]
The first protest was held on 28 January 2011. After the hostile reactions of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan[3] and Turkish society, Turkish Cypriots organized a second and third rally, using the same name, on 2 March and 7 April 2011. The average turnout was 50,000–80,000,[4][5] making these some of the largest demonstrations by Turkish Cypriots under the occupation.[6] As of 2011, Northern Cyprus had a population of approximately 290,000.
Some protesters carried flags of the Republic of Cyprus and banners demanding the reunification of the island, and signs condemning economical, cultural, and social oppression of Turkish Cypriots by Turkey.[7] During the final rally, unsuccessful attempts were made to hang the flag of the Republic of Cyprus on the Turkish embassy.[8] The protests were heavily criticized in Turkey due to their aggressive tone against Turkey and the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
References
- ↑ Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana (15 June 2012). "Time for Turkey to leave Cyprus in peace". The Washington Times (Washington, DC: The Washington Times, LLC). Retrieved 24 July 2014.
- ↑ "Zypern-Türken gegen Ankara" [Turkish Cypriots against Ankara]. Der Standard (in German) (Vienna, Austria: derStandard.at GmbH). 8 February 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
- ↑ Jones, Dorian (9 February 2011). "Turkish Cypriot protests set back Turkey's EU membership bid". Deutsche Welle (Bonn, Germany: Deutsche Welle). Retrieved 24 July 2014.
- ↑ Fenwick, Sarah (3 March 2011). "The Turkish Cypriots Protest – Does Erdogan Hear Them?". CyprusNewsReport.com. CyprusNewsReport.com. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
- ↑ "KTÖS: "Ankara elini yakamızdan çek"" [KTÖS: Ankara, take your hands off us"] (in Turkish). Sendika.Org. 3 March 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
- ↑ "Turkish Cypriots stage new anti-austerity rally". Kathimerini (Neo Faliro, Greece: International New York Times – Kathimerini English Edition). 2 March 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
- ↑ "Turkish Cypriots protest". Parikiaki (London, United Kingdom: Parikiaki). 2 March 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
- ↑ "Kıbrıs'ta Türk elçiliğine Rum bayrağı!" [Greek Cypriot flag at Turkish Embassy in Cyprus!]. Dünya Bülteni (in Turkish) (Turkey: Dünya Bülteni). 8 April 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2014.