He even described it as particularly ironic that at a time when the President of the Republic of Cyprus is calling on Turkish Cypriots to return to the institutions of the state, the only Turkish Cypriot professor is being expelled from the public university.
"They cannot tolerate even a Turkish Cypriot professor at the University of Cyprus, nor a Turkish Cypriot MEP", he notes.
He even refers to September 1995 when he was appointed as a lecturer at the University of Cyprus that he was the target of a terrifying campaign of slander.
He did not fail to thank the University of Cyprus for its enduring support. "Special thanks to the Rector Mr. Tasos Christofides, who 27 years ago stood by me during the attacks I was subjected to, and today again stands up for what is right."
His statement:
"I do not want favourable treatment, but I am aware of the intentions
of Niyazi Kiziliyurek
27 years ago, in September 1995, when I was appointed to the University of Cyprus as a lecturer, I was the target of a terrifying campaign of slander. Some circles claimed that I was "anti-Greek", that I was spreading "Cypriot consciousness" and demanded my immediate removal from the university.[BR] The media pounced on me like an avalanche that grew and grew. The journalists and politicians who participated in this cacophony angrily stressed that there was no place for an "anti-Greek" at the University of Cyprus. They selectively presented extracts from my book "Total Cyprus" to "prove" that I was an "anti-Greek" and to accuse me of cultivating "Cypriot consciousness".[BR] Politicians also took part in this hysterical campaign, shouting "Why has this guy not yet been fired from the university?". The avalanche of reactions grew and grew. It was the turn of the then Minister of Education to call for me to leave the university. Nikos Samson wrote in the Battle, "Vromotourke, get up and leave."[/I] Among those who wanted me to be fired from the university, the most hardline were the "Initiative Group for a Clean Greek University". This initiative, led by Prodromos Prodromou - unfortunately, now the Minister of Education - had set its sights on the university and attacked me by all means. They were worried that the university would 'Cypriotise' the Greeks of Cyprus and saw me as a cultivator of Cypriot consciousness.
I was surprised at what I was going through. I expected that my appointment would annoy the Turkish Cypriot nationalists. Because they were the ones who argued that the two communities could not live together. The official position of the Greek Cypriot side was to bring the two communities back together and claim that they could coexist peacefully. They said that "we have nothing to part with the Turkish Cypriots". Now, how was it possible that the presence of a Turkish Cypriot academic at the university, who even believed in reunification, could cause such a big reaction?Today, after what I have experienced in these 27 years and my experience in the 2019 European elections, the attacks that started with my candidacy and got worse after my election, I have an answer:
Just as the Turkish Cypriot separatists are building the partition of Cyprus, unfortunately the Greek Cypriot nationalists are contributing to the deepening of the partition of our country.
In the institutions and bodies of the Republic of Cyprus, they want to see only Greek Cypriots. It seems particularly ironic that at a time when the President of the Republic of Cyprus is calling for Turkish Cypriots to return to the institutions of the state, the only Turkish Cypriot professor is being expelled from the public university.[BR] They cannot stand a single Turkish Cypriot professor at the University of Cyprus, nor a single Turkish Cypriot MEP.
I happen to be both
On the other hand, it is a fact that Greek Cypriot nationalism, historically, is directed against two categories of people: the Leftists and the Turkish Cypriots.
I happen to be both
I do not want favourable treatment!
From the above political statements, I do not want anyone to conclude that I am asking for favourable treatment. But I do want to respond to all those who say, in good faith or in bad faith, that "the law is the law", that this law is unacceptable in every respect and anachronistic Instead of the Legislature doing its job properly and changing this law, they are using it for political purposes. Because it is clear that the "Law on the Election of Members of the European Parliament 2004" conflicts with both the principle of equality and the principle of proportionality.[BR]It prohibits professors of public universities from holding public office, which is what professors of private universities are entitled to. At the same time, while other European citizens are allowed to be Members of the European Parliament and at the same time university professors, this is prohibited for citizens of the Republic of Cyprus.
I would like to stress that I reserve and will assert all my legal rights through legal remedies.
In conclusion, I would like to thank the University of Cyprus for its support over the years. Special thanks to the Rector Mr. Tasos Christofides, who 27 years ago stood by my side during my attacks, and today again defends the law."
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs to Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source[/URL]Cyprus Times[/SIZE]
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