Kyrenia women go on hunger strike

HUNGER striking women spent last night in tents at the Ledra Palace check- point taking part in a three-day hunger strike. The 20 or so women are all members of the Women’s Association of Kyrenia and are protesting against Turkey’s violation of human rights in Cyprus. The action was taken on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Human Rights today.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Association president Eleni Koliou-Kirkou said UN resident representative Dame Ann Hercus had agreed to meet with a delegation that would hand over a petition for UN Secretary- General Kofi Annan.

Kirkou said: “On December 10, the organisation is celebrating international human rights day, but its chiefs are closing their eyes to numerous UN resolutions on Cyprus, especially those concerning human rights.

“The women of Kyrenia know better than anyone what a violation of human rights means. And also what it means when those who call themselves our protectors are the first to make violations or pretend they don’t hear the cries of pain and agony from a small island on the edge of the Mediterranean.”

Lapithos mayor Nicos Evangellou, speaking on behalf of the Municipalities and Organisations of Kyrenia, congratulated the women on their efforts. He called for “human rights also to be enforced in Cyprus, where unfortunately they have been trampled on for 24 years”.

Former enclaved teacher Eleni Foka, who is taking part in the hunger strike, appealed for more international interest “in the violation of human rights in Cyprus” by Turkey.

Foka taught enclaved children in the occupied areas until she was forced to come to the free area for medical treatment and was not allowed to return.

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