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- Ελληνικά
Report of the Speaker of the House of Representatives Mrs. Anita Demetriou on the anniversary of the declaration of the pseudo-state, on the anniversary of the Polytechnic uprising, on the sacrifice of Kyriakos Matsis, on the World Day of Tolerance, the European Day for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse and the World Day for the Rights of the Child
Dear colleagues,
November 15 is a black anniversary for our country, much heavier this year, as this year marks forty years since the declaration of the Pseudo-state in the occupied territories, a blatantly provocative act that violates the international legal order and international law.
The illegal declaration of the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in 1983 was presented by Turkey as a self-willed act of the Turkish Cypriots and as a consequence of the bicommunal disputes on the island. This attempt to mislead international opinion fell on deaf ears and the immediate reaction of the UN Security Council, which adopted Resolutions 541 and 550, was proof of this. These resolutions declare this action as legally invalid and call for its revocation, while calling on all states to respect the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-alienation of the Republic of Cyprus and at the same time not to recognize any Cypriot state other than the Republic of Cyprus. Ankara and the occupation leader are blocking any initiative to resume talks, while demonstrating zero will to continue efforts within the agreed framework to find a just and viable solution. Turkey's long-term goal, of course, remains the same: to lead to the legitimisation of the results of the military invasion and occupation, i.e. the legitimisation of the crime.
Our position throughout these years remains stable and unchanged and we will repeat it at every opportunity: we demand such a solution to the Cyprus problem that will reunite our island and create the conditions that will allow all Cypriots to live together in harmony and peace in a common and united homeland.
Tomorrow, 17 November, we commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the uprising of the students of the Polytechnic against the military regime of the junta. The students stood up to the tanks of the dictatorship and with the slogan "Bread-Education-Freedom" became a timeless symbol of heroic resistance against authoritarianism, obscurantism and terrorism.
As the House of Representatives, we pay tribute to the heroes and heroines of the Polytechnic, who with fighting spirit and determination opposed the violation of democratic principles and human rights. It is the duty of all of us to continue the struggle for freedom and to condemn any attempt to revive authoritarian regimes.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today we also commemorate the sacrifice of the visionary hero of the national liberation struggle of EOKA 1955-1959 Kyriakos Matsis, who fell fighting on 19 November 1958 in his hideout in Dikomo after being hit by grenades, after refusing to surrender, serving the sacred cause of the liberation of the homeland.
Kyriakos Matsis began his struggle against the British colonialists while still a student, through his participation in student demonstrations and the articles he wrote against the colonial regime. Subsequently, he was one of the first to join the ranks of the fighters of the liberation struggle and 'delivered lessons of the Greek soul'. His perseverance, unwavering dedication to duty, bravery and philanthropy are a glorious legacy of values for us all.
I now invite you to observe a one-minute silence in memory of the heroes of the Polytechnic and in memory of the hero Kyriakos Matsis.
(One-minute silence)
May their memory live on!
Dear colleagues,
November 17 has been established as the World Day of Tolerance. Let me welcome the presence here of the President of the Association "Baby Miracles", Mrs. Elena Megalemou Triantaphyllides.
Premature birth is associated with increased mortality, but also with an increased likelihood of a variety of health problems that plague premature babies for the duration of their lives. Of course, advances in medical science have contributed to the fact that in many cases complications can be satisfactorily treated. All Members of Parliament recognise the sacred and difficult work that is carried out in the premature infant care units, such as the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Nicosia Makareion Hospital, and we express our thanks to all the health professionals who are entrusted with this task. We support this year's message of the international campaign which is: "Small actions BIG IMPACT, immediate skin-to-skin care for every baby everywhere". We express our support for the families who are fighting their own battle alongside their children and assure that the House of Representatives will constructively consider proposals aimed at upgrading and improving the quality of life of newborns born prematurely.
At the end of today's session, we will proceed with a short ceremony during which the House of Representatives building will be illuminated in purple.
Ladies and gentlemen,
18 November has been established as the European Day for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, in order to raise awareness among the public and authorities to take action to prevent and combat such heinous acts. Unfortunately, nowadays many children are victims of some form of sexual violence. The statistics are frightening: One in five!
As the House of Representatives, we consider the issue of child sexual abuse to be extremely serious and we are always in cooperation with the relevant bodies in order to contribute as a legislative body to the eradication of this crime.
Related to the above issue is the establishment of 20 November as International Children's Rights Day by the United Nations General Assembly, which adopted in 1989 the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which is the first legally binding convention that charts the obligations of States with regard to the protection and well-being of children and the safeguarding of their rights without discrimination.
Since then, although tremendous progress has been made in various areas, we continue to witness violations of children's basic rights, particularly in war zones, which have unfortunately increased in recent years. We cannot look away as long as there are children suffering. As a modern state and as a member of the Union, we must be in line with the European Union's strategies and actions to combat all forms of violence, but also to relieve all children who are suffering and seeking refuge in our country.
(text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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