Selma Eylem, a peace activist and unionist known in Cyprus, announced that she was summoned for questioning by the police following her meeting with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. During this meeting, Eylem had raised concerns about interventions in the will of the Turkish Cypriots, assimilation policies, and demands for urgent solutions.
Former President of the Turkish Cypriot Secondary School Teachers’ Union (KTOEÖS), Eylem stated in an interview with YENİDÜZEN newspaper that a police sergeant from the Criminal Branch contacted her and communicated that she needed to provide a statement. Eylem emphasized that this situation aims to suppress the truths she has expressed and carries the intention of political pressure.
Content of the Meeting and Police Summons
Selma Eylem expressed that in her meeting with Guterres on July 28, she conveyed the deep grievances faced by Turkish Cypriots and the necessity of co-existence. Regarding the police summons that followed her appointment, Eylem mentioned that during the phone call, she asked if there was any crime or complaint against her, to which she received confirmation that there was not.
After consulting with her lawyer, Eylem learned that there was no legal obligation for her to provide a statement. She believes that the motivation behind the call is to exert pressure through the various topics discussed.
Political Pressure and Stance Against Coercion
After the meeting, Eylem presented a declaration she had submitted during the meeting with Guterres, stating that this document bore the signatures of 108 civil society organizations. This initiative highlighted the issues related to the division of the island and the situation of Turkish Cypriots.
She noted that issues such as the north of the island being under the subgovernance of Turkey, the implementation of assimilation policies, and the exposure of Turkish Cypriots to social engineering efforts were discussed. Eylem condemned the attempted summons, stating that there was no crime involved.
Eylem pointed out that “those disturbed by the truths want to exert pressure,” and she noted that the summons was carried out as a result of the Political Branch forwarding her case to the Criminal Branch. She also expressed that she would not go to provide a statement, believing that such pressures would harm peace.
Source: www.yeniduzen.com
