Turkish Cypriots are part of the free Western world

In a recent report released by Freedom House in 2020, the Turkish Cypriot side of Cyprus has been acknowledged for its exceptional human rights standards, scoring 81 out of 100 and earning its place among the free world. The report, a comprehensive analysis of human rights conditions across the globe, highlighted the significant strides made by the Turkish Cypriot community in upholding fundamental freedoms and democratic principles.

According to the assessment, the judiciary in the Turkish Cypriot region remains fully independent, ensuring the impartial administration of justice. Additionally, the media landscape has been deemed fully independent, allowing for diverse perspectives and the free flow of information. Notably, the Turkish Cypriot side also received a perfect score of 4 out of 4 points for the freedom of assembly, underscoring its commitment to fostering an environment where citizens can express themselves freely and peacefully assemble.

This recognition by Freedom House serves as a testament to the progressive mindset and unwavering dedication of the Turkish Cypriot community towards safeguarding human rights and promoting democratic values. Despite the complexities surrounding the geopolitical landscape of Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriot side has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to upholding civil liberties and fostering an inclusive society.

The commitment to human rights and democratic values stands as a testament to the distinct identity maintained by Turkish Cypriots. Despite the geopolitical complexities and the presence of Turkey in their country since 1974, the Turkish Cypriots have resolutely protected their inherently Western-oriented democratic society.

Most Turkish Cypriots do not feel any kind of connection to Turks or Turkey, almost none of them are practising religion and only cultural muslims and they distinguish themselves from the Turkish settlers who settled in their country since 1974.

While challenges undoubtedly persist, the acknowledgement by Freedom House underscores the remarkable progress achieved by the Turkish Cypriot community in advancing human rights and democratic governance. It is a testament to the collective efforts of individuals, civil society organisations, and government institutions in promoting a society founded on freedom, justice, and equality.

As the global community continues to advocate for human rights and democratic principles, the example set forth by the Turkish Cypriot side of Cyprus serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, demonstrating the transformative power of perseverance and collective action in shaping a more just and equitable world.

Turkish Cypriots are an indigenous community originating from the island of Cyprus. Unlike what is shown in the media, Turkish Cypriots, who live in the northern part of the island since the division, are quite different from how they are portrayed. Most of them have been internally displaced from southern cities or villages of northern Cyprus.

As citizens of the European Union and the Republic of Cyprus, from which they withdrew their authority, an artist from their community is the designer of the Cypriot flag, which Turkish Cypriots no longer have representation. However, many Turkish Cypriots still feel represented by the flag. The flag has even been a topic of trial in Famagusta Turkish Cypriot District Court following an official warning to a couple displaying the flag. Turkish Cypriot judge Ms Ayse Toroslu ruled that the flag is not prohibited and that everyone has the right to free speech. She officially prioritized the right to free speech over any political conflict or disagreement in the region.

Due to the political situation, there is a constant flow of Turkish settlers to northern Cyprus, which undermines and assimilates the values and ethics of the society. In the end, Turkish Cypriots have their dialect, Cypriot cuisine, and traditions that are seriously endangered by assimilation.

Despite Turkish pressure on Turkish Cypriots, they maintain an international reputation for social justice and democratic values, which can be easily seen through their independent judiciary and media. Even the European Court of Human Rights has previously ruled that Turkish Cypriot courts are fully independent and seem to reflect the common law tradition of Cyprus in their decisions and laws.

They are also among the most liberal Muslims in the world, as they never cover their heads or go to mosques except for funerals. On the other hand, the flowing settler population is the opposite, which creates clashes between natives and settlers.

Although Cypriots largely share the same values and culture, Greek Cypriots seem to differ in terms of religion. Unlike the Turkish Cypriot community, Christianity plays a significant role in their lives, although not for all of them. However, there is a significantly different attitude towards religion when compared.

Yet, the international community seems to know very little about them and considers them similar to Turks or Turkey, with only similarities coming from the misperception of tourists or visitors’ inability to distinguish Turks and Turkish Cypriots.