Prime Minister Faiz Sucuoğlu issued a message to mark the 64th anniversary of the 27-28 January 1958 Resistance put up against British colonial rule and to remember the martyrs who died in the clashes that broke out.
Pointing out that seven Turkish Cypriots had died in clashes that broke out after the British colonial administration had used excessive force to quell the protests, Sucuoğlu said that the world came to know of the Turkish Cypriot peoples’ existence and determination as a result of this incident.
He reminded that the resistance was the first organised reaction put up by the Turkish Cypriot community against the British colonial administration on the island.
“Turkish Cypriots showed the world that they wanted to live freely with their own national identity. The resistance was extremely important from that perspective,” he said, adding that the uprising showed that the Turkish Cypriot people would not yield to British or Greek Cypriot domination, would not accept minority rights and would put up a resistance for its national identity under all conditions.
Sucuoğlu also said that lessons should be derived from the 27-28 January incidents when taking steps for the future.
“Turkish Cypriots endured great pain and suffering and struggled under great pressure and attacks. It is not possible to forget those dark times when hopes were lost,” he added.
Sucuoğlu said that nevertheless, the Turkish Cypriot people succeeded in establishing their own state where they lived freely and independently under the protection of motherland Turkey.
He added that the Turkish Cypriot people enjoy freedom and independence as a result of the strong bond that exists with Turkey.
The prime minister concluded his message by paying his respects to the martyrs.