Cypriots from across Australia and New Zealand are converging onto Melbourne this weekend, as the Cypriot Community of Melbourne hosts a mega conference of the Cypriot diaspora.
The host and President of the Community – former Victorian Labor Minister – Theo Theophanous welcomed the many delegates, dignitaries, community, and political leaders last night, Friday, May 23, at a packed Cypriot Community Centre in Brunswick. It was a multigenerational representation of Cypriot and Hellenic organisations from across Australia and NZ.
The conference is actually “three conferences,” said Theophanous, Federation of Cypriot Communities of Australia and New Zealand, the Pan-Australian Justice for Cyprus Committee (PASEKA), and Cypriot Youth Organisations of Australia and New Zealand (NEPOMAK)
A triple gathering: Culture, justice, and the future
The focus will be on three areas, “how to maintain” culture, values, and language and “ongoing support for our communities”, the second area is “Justice for Cyprus”, “a complex and difficult task.”
Theophanous said they will seek to “clarify and present arguments, facts, backed—and to mobilise the Cyprus diaspora to influence governments and media in the pursuit of Justice for Cyprus.”
In 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus following a Greek-backed coup, leading to the occupation of the island’s northern third. This occupation, widely condemned by the international community, remains illegal under international law and has left Cyprus divided to this day.
The third, and most important, aspect of the conference, he said, was “the meeting of our youth from around Australia and NZ.”
“It is the mobilisation and cultural education of our youth that represents the future of Cypriots and Cypriot culture in the diaspora.”
Challenging occupation: A call for a unified Cyprus
The president and host of the conference emphasised: “We need to build support among moderate Turks.”
He said he was proud that, during the 50th commemoration of the Turkish invasion last year, communities “came together in an unprecedented way and shouted Justice for Cyprus in the middle of Melbourne.”
He said over 2,500 people came together, and it was “the first time that the Cypriot flag had been raised at Federation Square.”
He pointed to the fact that “about 60 right-wing Turkish Cypriots, who had been whipped up by the visit of Tatar, who claimed ’50 years of peace.'”
“The narrative of Tatar has to be challenged,” said Theophanous, adding, “It is 50 years of occupation where the Turkish Cypriot culture has been eroded, and a continuing line of Turkish settlers has changed the demography in the north.”
Ersin Tatar is the president of the so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” which is only recognised by Turkey – no other nation, nor the United Nations acknowledges the legitimacy of the occupied northern part of Cyprus.
Theophanous called for a “democratic, bi-zonal, bi-communal system of government where the rights and freedoms of Greek and Turkish Cypriots are protected, and the future of Cyprus, as a single internationally recognised entity over the entire island, is recognised.”
A key theme at the conference launch on justice for Cyprus was the need for a bi-communal, unified Cyprus where Greek and Turkish Cypriots share equal rights. The discussion also highlighted the demographic anomaly of Turkish settlers colonising the north, exerting pressure on local Turkish Cypriots, many of whom reject the increasingly undemocratic and Islamist policies imposed by President Erdoğan’s Turkey.
Diaspora power: Building solidarity beyond borders
The Cypriot Community president also referred to an article he had written for Neos Kosmos in which he pointed to what he said were missed opportunities by Cypriots to resolve the Cyprus issue. He also noted that, as part of the mega-conference this weekend, other key issues confronting the community, such as care for the elderly, the education of youth, promotion of the language, and maintenance of faith, are all intertwined.
Antonis Sammoutis, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, who praised the efforts of the diaspora and the various organisations—Cypriot and Greek, Assyrian and Armenian— which, he said, “walk shoulder to shoulder in seeking justice for Cyprus.”
“We want to work with the Turks in Cyprus who are on strike right now in school because they do not want to wear the hijab, those who are on strike because they want democracy, those who are on strike because they want free media,” Theo Theophanous
Sammoutis said he felt the “love of the Cypriot, Hellenic, and Australian communities”. He added that the “High Commission in Canberra is in regular contact with the Prime Minister and Cabinet” on Cyprus and the diaspora.
EOKA veteran recognised as Diaspora leaders rally for unity and justice
Antonis Sammoutis, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus, awarded a medal of honour from the Republic of Cyprus to veteran EOKA fighter Andreas Neroupos, who fought against the British colonial rulers of Cyprus in 1955. Neroupos was arrested by the British in November 1955 for carrying hand grenades and spent 40 months in jail. His arrest took place just three days before the death penalty for possession of weapons was abolished. At his trial, he was represented by lawyers Glafkos Clerides and Tasos Papadopoulos—both of whom later served as Presidents of the Republic of Cyprus.
Talking to Neos Kosmos, Theophanous said, “We are thrilled to be the host of these three conferences—one for the youth, one for the fight for justice for Cyprus, and one for the federation of communities.”
Asked about his comments on seeking support from “moderate Turks,” Theophanous said, “There are lots of Turkish people—certainly ones I know—who do not want to be under the yoke of Turkish occupation. The 30,000 troops there [in occupied Northern Cyprus] are not there to protect the Turkish Cypriot community; they are there to control the community.”
“We want to work with the Turks in Cyprus who are on strike right now in school because they do not want to wear the hijab, those who are on strike because they want democracy, those who are on strike because they want free media,” Theophanous said.
Theophanous welcomed the leaders at the conference launch, such as Antonis Sammoutis the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus, Michael Christodoulou AM, the President of the Federation of Australia and NZ; Chris Koulinos, President of the Pan-Australian Justice for Cyprus Committee (PASEKA); Andrea Nicola, President of Cypriot Youth Organisations of Australia and New Zealand (NEPOMAK); Bill Papastergiadis, President of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM); and Anthony Cianflone, representing Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, and Evan Mulholland, representing Opposition Leader Brad Battin. All of them spoke of their commitment to the Cypriot community and cause. It was also noted that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has committed to visiting Cyprus.
