Prime Minister Ünal Üstel has said that December 21, 1963, which went down in history as “Bloody Christmas” was a true event that could never be forgotten by Turkish Cypriots.

He said that the sacrifices made by the martyrs will never be forgotten.

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel issued a message on Tuesday to mark December 21-25 National Struggle and Martyrs Week.

In his message, Üstel pointed out that Turkish Cypriots today owed their freedom and independence to the martyrs and the sacrifices they made.

He described the incidents of the night of December 21, 1963 and the ten years that followed as a “shame of humanity” that was carved into history books before the very eyes of the international community.

“Countless Turkish Cypriots were massacred, thousands were forced to flee their homes and villages and were subjected to inhumane treatment as Greek Cypriots set out to achieve their goal of uniting the island with Greece,” Üstel said, adding that despite all these painful experiences, Turkish Cypriots preserved their honour and dignity, waging a heroic resistance and struggle.

The prime minister said that the martyrs had the greatest share in the creation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the success in achieving freedom.

He pointed out that Turkish Cypriots were able to look into the future with hope thanks to the struggle waged by the martyrs and the strength it received from motherland Türkiye.

Üstel concluded his message by paying his respects to the martyrs, the veterans and motherland Türkiye.

Meanwhile, other ministers, government and state officials have also issued similar messages marking the December 21-25 National Struggle and Martyrs’ Week.