The Union of Cypriots (Greek: Ένωσις Κυπρίων; Turkish: Kıbrıslılar Birliği) is a progressive and Cypriot nationalist political organization in Cyprus.[1] The Union of Cypriots campaigns for a unitary Cypriot state, the restoration of the constitutional order that was destroyed in Cyprus after the crisis of 1963-64,[3] and the ending of the Turkish occupation of Cyprus.[4][5]
| Ένωσις Κυπρίων Kıbrıslılar Birliği | |
 | |
| Purpose | Cypriotism[1] Unitarism[1] Progressivism[1] Anti-Imperialism[1] |
|---|---|
President | Oz Karahan[2] |
| Affiliations | ILPS ICOR |
| Website | cypriots |
History and overview
The Union of Cypriots' origins root back to different organisations including the World Union of Turkish-speaking Cypriots,[6][7] and the youth organisation LINOBAMBAKI, which was one of the formations that led the 2011 Turkish Cypriot protests.[8][9] The organization supports a unitary solution instead of a federal one, concerning the reunification of Cyprus.[10] With the idea of Cyprus belonging to all Cypriots, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, the organisation supports turning back to 1960 constitution,[11] and reinforcing it more in the line of "one nation, one flag, one homeland and one state" view.[12] The organization campaigns against Turkey's illegal settlement policy in Cyprus.[13] The Union of Cypriots brings out a publication called Liberate Cyprus.[14] The main slogan of the organization is "Cyprus for Cypriots".[15]
The organization supported Cypriots who were targeted in the occupied areas of Cyprus,[16] in events such as the prosecution of some community members for hanging the flag of the Republic of Cyprus in 2013,[17] the attacks against the Afrika newspaper by Turkish settlers in 2018,[18] the court cases that were filed against journalists by Turkey in 2019,[19] and the actions against the workers who wanted to cross barricades to enter the free areas in 2020.[20] Because of its activities, the leadership of the organization was blacklisted and declared persona non grata by Turkey in 2021.[21][22]
In 2019, the Union of Cypriots announced to public its interest in participating in the European Parliament elections independently,[23] but later it was represented by Oz Karahan in the list of the Jasmine Movement.[24][25] In 2024, the Union of Cypriots collaborated with the Green Party of Cyprus and the AIHMI movement, participating in the European Parliament elections with a common list of candidates.[26]
The Union of Cypriots is a member of international organisations such as the International League of Peoples' Struggle,[27] the International Coordination of Revolutionary Parties and Organizations,[28] the International Anti-Imperialist United Front Against Fascism, War and Environmental Destruction,[29] the No to War - No to NATO,[30] and the Resist US-Led War Movement.[31]
Honorary Awards
The Union of Cypriots presents Honorary Awards in memory of Dr. İhsan Ali, a Cypriot community leader and a statesman.
| Year | Laureate |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Şener Levent[32] |
| 2021 | Galeri Kültür[33] |
| 2022 | ΣΕΖΟΝ Γυναίκες[34] |
| 2023 | Declaration of Pan-Cyprian Mobilization[35] |