Ersin Tatar
Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. C. Bonaros:
That this Council—
1. Expresses its concern and dissatisfaction regarding the recent visit to Australia by Ersin Tatar, the leader of the self-proclaimed ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ (‘TRNC’), which constitutes the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus;
2. Notes South Australia does not recognise the legitimacy of the TRNC;
3. Notes United Nations Security Council Resolutions 541 and 550 which call upon all states not to recognise the purported state of TRNC;
4. Recognises that as the first leader of this entity to visit Australia, the visit was not cause for celebration;
5. Recognises the distress felt by Australians of Cypriot and Greek heritage due to Ersin Tatar’s visit;
6. Acknowledges the historical suffering of many refugees who lost their homes, land, and possessions following the invasion of Northern Cyprus by Turkish forces in 1974;
7. Acknowledges the ongoing pain of those whose loved ones have been missing since the invasion;
8. Supports the communities affected by the historical events in Cyprus;
9. Notes the advice of the Federal Government to all Members of Parliament and State Governments to refrain from engaging or meeting with Ersin Tatar during his visit to Australia or otherwise; and
10. Calls on the State Government to clearly articulate its support for the Federal Government’s position of non-recognition of the TRNC.
(Continued from 19 June 2024.)
The Hon. J.S. LEE (Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (00:03): I rise today on behalf of the Liberal Party to support this motion moved by the Hon. Connie Bonaros and express our concerns about the recent visit to Australia by Ersin Tatar, the leader of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
As clearly stated in the terms of the motion, Australia supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and does not recognise the legitimacy of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus which controls the northern part of Cyprus.
The United Nations Peacekeeping force in Cyprus was established in 1964 to prevent further fighting between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities. However, the Turkish invasion of Cyprus on 20 July 1974 resulted in the capture of approximately 36 per cent of the island in the northern part of Cyprus.
The ceasefire line from August 1974 became the United Nations' buffer zone in Cyprus and is commonly referred to as the Green Line. Around 200,000 Greek Cypriots, over a third of the 1974 total population who were forcibly expelled from the northern part of Cyprus, are still deprived of the right to return to their homes and properties.
UNFICYP still controls the buffer zone between northern and southern Cyprus, and Australia's involvement for 53 years marks our longest UN peacekeeping mission.
Many refugees who were forced to flee their homes and lost their loved ones, livelihoods and possessions following Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 came to find a new home in Australia. We are immensely fortunate to have the second largest Cypriot diaspora in Australia, with a vibrant Cypriot community here in South Australia.
We acknowledge that the historical violence and ongoing tensions in Cyprus continue to cause pain and distress for the Cypriot and Greek communities here in South Australia. This year is incredibly emotional for so many in the community as it marks the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus.
Every year over the last 50 years, the Cypriot community comes together to commemorate the devastating invasion with a number of events and these events are an expression of the solidarity and support to the people of Cyprus and to pay tribute and honour those who lost their lives in the struggle for democracy and freedom during the events of 1974.
I would like to thank all involved who worked tirelessly to organise these commemorative events. In particular, I would like to acknowledge Professor Andreas Evdokiou, President of the Cyprus Community of South Australia, and Peter Ppiros, Chairman of the Justice for Cyprus Coordinating Committee SA (SEKA), and their executive members for their ongoing commitment to co-hosting the annual church memorial service, wreath-laying ceremony, protest rally and other forums to mark this solemn occasion.
SEKA and the Cyprus Community of South Australia continue to advocate for a just and viable solution to reunite Cyprus, and we understand that Ersin Tatar's recent visit further added to the distress and pain still keenly felt by the community.
I note that the federal government provided advice to all Members of Parliament and State Governments to avoid engaging or meeting with Ersin Tatar during his visit to Australia. It was not an official visit and, from my understanding, no Federal or South Australian politicians met with him.
It is vital that we reassure our Cypriot and Greek communities that South Australia continues to support the longstanding position of non-recognition of the TRNC.
On behalf of the South Australian Liberal Party, I wish to acknowledge and thank all the community leaders and organisations who persistently advocate for peace in Cyprus and thank them for their valuable contributions in the quest for justice for Cyprus. I thank the Honourable Member for moving this motion and we support this motion.