Kyrenia, Cyprus still illegally occupied Forty Years on

This weekend I am visiting the exiled Municipality of Kyrenia whom earlier this year I hosted in the European Parliament. (Please see attached video) next month marks the 40th anniversary of the illegal Turkish invasion. Which displaced the Greek Cypriot community. Disturbingly more than 1100 families still do not know what happened to lived ones who simply disappeared.

I will be writing more about this over the weekend.

Petitions committee: Cyprus and property

Taken from the petitions committee last week. I discuss the letters I have had from constituents regarding issues they've had purchasing property in Cyprus.

On BBC Sunday Politics

My questions to President Von Rompuy were featured on this weekends edition of the Sunday Politics (West Midlands).

You can see the clip of the question on the link below.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-17400442

My full speech with questions for Mr Von Rompuy can be found in the video below

The ruling on HS2, and the situation in Cyprus

The banking situation in Cyprus has hit the headlines over the weekend, with a 10 billion euro bailout plan thrashed out by the Cypriot government, European Commission and European Central Bank, and agreed by the EU and the IMF. The deal currently on the table will see all those with Cypriot bank accounts forced to pay a levy of 6.75% on sums less than 100,000 euros, and 9.9% on those over.

 

Opposition leader George Lillikas has argued that President Anastasiades has “betrayed the people’s vote”. Given that this is a deal that will have a devastating impact on citizens (with the burden placed very directly on the citizens), and was agreed by institutions without the consent of the people, I can’t help but agree.

 

This levy will also affect non-Cypriot citizens too, including UK expats. While George Osborne has pledged to compensate any UK government employees and military personnel in Cyprus, no such support will be available for other Britons. At the moment, it seems depositors in the overseas arms of Cypriot banks will be safe.

 

Fears are growing that investor confidence in the eurozone will be shattered by this deal and the uncertainty in Cyprus, forcing the nation to leave the Euro, which will of course have an effect on the rest of us. And clearly, this turmoil provides yet another reason why we should leave the EU.

 

Last Friday saw Mr Justice Ouseley rule on judgements over the HS2 plans. Unfortunately, the ruling went in the government’s favour on 9 out of the 10 points, and the government now says they will “press ahead without delay” after what they describe as a “landmark victory”.

 

One positive to take from the ruling is that the consultation into compensation for those affected was deemed to be so “unfair as to be unlawful”, and the Department for Transport will now hold another property consultation which should see those affected given fairer compensation settlements.  Many groups have also stated that they will appeal the decision.

 

Rail Minister Simon Burns still claims that the “project is in the national interest”, but I wholeheartedly disagree for numerous reasons, as I have made publically clear. I am concerned about the effect on people’s homes and the countryside. The planned rail line runs through beautiful countryside and some of the best sites in Britain for wildlife. I believe, as do many others, that the projected passenger demand is unrealistic and ordinary rail users will find themselves unable to afford the increased fares. HS2 would also not ease overcrowding issues on some lines until 2026, and money could be spent delivering more effective and immediate results. For more information on where I stand on HS2, please visit my blog (http://nikkisinclairemep.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/HS2) and website (http://yourmep.org/hs2.html).

 

I plan to continue the fight against HS2 and to support those also campaigning against it. While this ruling is a disappointment and a setback, this will not deter me from opposing these government plans.

Nikki Sinclaire MEP calls for an end to the illegal Turkish occupation in Cyprus

With the European Union winning the Nobel Peace prize for keeping the peace in Europe, then why haven't they ended the illegal Turkish occupation in Cyprus? A speech from this week in Strasbourg

Discussing human rights violations in Cyprus

Mr President, amongst the items on the agenda at the forthcoming UN Human Rights

Council will be Cyprus. I would like to concentrate on human rights issues in Northern Cyprus and their place in negotiations for Turkey’s accession to the European Union. In Northern Cyprus itself, there have been reports of violations of the human rights and freedom from discrimination of minorities, torture, and violations of freedom of movement, religion and speech.

In 1974, during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, the city of Famagusta was overrun by armour, and the civilian population – fearing massacre – was forced to evacuate, leaving behind everything they could not carry. Only Turks were allowed to remain, and the Varosha section of the city remains isolated and unpopulated to this day. This is in contradiction with UN Security Council Resolutions 550 and 789.

 
Technically, this border dispute does call into question the legitimacy of the Cypriot accession to the European Union. A 112-mile long ‘green line’ still divides the island. 1 588 Greek Cypriots are still on the missing persons list following the Turkish invasion, but still the EU – with the exception of one or two Member States – pushes for Turkey’s accession. By discussing Turkey’s accession whilst unresolved border issues and questions of human rights in Northern Cyprus remain, the EU is undermining the integrity of the United Nations. You are overlooking appalling human rights abuses, and you are making a mockery of the integrity of your own position on human rights.

Regarding Turkey’s statement that they would freeze EU ties when Cyprus takes over the EU Presidency, I would ask the High Representative: why is the EU negotiating membership with a country that is acting in such a bullying manner? Although, on second thoughts, the High Representative might agree that such a country would fit perfectly into the European Union.