The Coordinating Committee of Justice for Cyprus (SEKA) organized a number of events starting from the Friday 12th July up until Wednesday the 14th of August to commemorate not only the illegal occupation but also the human rights violations following the illegal occupation of the island by Turkey in 1974 until now.
Despite the wintery cold and rainy conditions over the last week the attendees braved the weather and took to the streets, calling forJustice in the face of continued violation of human rights and occupation of the island.
During the rally that took place on Sunday at the Greek Pre-cinct on Lonsdale Street, hundreds of the Greek, Cyprian Australian community members and representatives called for the withdrawal of 40,000 Turkish troops and for the end of the occupation of Cy-prus. Pro-testors carried banners calling for the reunification of the island and protesting Turkey’s violation of international agreements. Others carried photos of their loved ones who went missing during the invasion and who are possibly still buried in mass graves.
Cyprus Presidential Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Overseas Cypriots, Photis Photiou, took the stand urging the Australian government to apply pressure for a solution during the planned visit of Turkish President Tayyip Re-cep Erdogan to Australia for ANZAC Day celebrations next year.
Constantinos Procopiou, President of the Pan-Australian Justice for Cyprus