The 60th anniversary of the attacks by the Greek Cypriots unleashed against the Turkish Cypriots on December 21, 1963, known as “Bloody Christmas” was also commemorated in the United Kingdom.
At the commemoration event held in front of the Greek Cypriot administration’s High Commission in London on Thursday, photos of those who lost their lives in the massacre carried out by the Greek Cypriots were displayed, and a letter was left at the High Commission. In the letter, the Greek Cypriot administration was urged to acknowledge the sufferings of the Turkish Cypriots during that period and to apologize.
Dozens of demonstrators carrying Turkish and TRNC flags lit candles at the event held in front of the Greek Cypriot administration’s representation office in London on Thursday to commemorate those killed 60 years ago on December 21, 1963.
After the ceremony, prayers were offered for the martyrs, and Nejla Clements, on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots, left the letter prepared for the Greek Cypriot authorities.
In the letter, the Greek Cypriot administration was urged to acknowledge the sufferings of the Turkish Cypriots during that period and to apologize.
Hüseyin Haşim, the President of the Cyprus Islamic Society, reminded the audience of the events that took place on December 21, 1963.
“The Greek Cypriot administration and institutions, those in power, never once apologized to the families of the killed and the missing. The world remained silent. In 1963 and 1974, the massacres that occurred were ignored,” he said.
He also said that the Turkish Cypriot community should not trust international guarantors and stated, “The only guarantor we have is Türkiye.”