Taşkent martyrs remembered

On the 15^th of August 1974 villagers from the Taşkent village were collected by Greek Cypriots and murdered.

A commemoration ceremony was held this morning to commemorate the Taşkent Martyrs.

Meanwhile two separate ceremonies are being held to celebrate Gazimağusa’s liberation this afternoon.

The ceremony to commemorate the Taşkent Martyrs began with the laying of wreaths, a minute’s silence being observed, the firing of shots in tribute and flags raised to the national anthem.

Speaking first the President of the Association of Martyrs’ Families and Disabled War Veterans Gürsel Benan stated that the pain experienced 48 years ago will never be forgotten.

Stating that the Turkish Cypriot people were living in peace and tranquillity today thanks to motherland Türkiye’s active and effective guarantees Benan said “We can no longer tolerate diplomatic games on the island. If an agreement is based on two equal sovereign states, we will accept it.”

President Ersin Tatar also addressed the ceremony.

He stated that the Turkish Cypriots were exposed to severe violence prior to 1974 and that they always defended themselves knowing that Türkiye would come to their assistance.

“We were waiting for motherland Türkiye to. That day was July 20^th, 1974. It was the day the Turkish Cypriots were born again. It was also a time when mass murders were taking place in our villages and in many regions such as Tashkent. These wounds and pains will never be forgotten” said Tatar

He added that the Turkish Cypriot people paid a heavy price but were now the proud owners of a state.

“Now we have an important place in the Eastern Mediterranean together with motherland Türkiye. Today, an agreement can only be achieved on the basis of sovereign equality,” he said.

Tatar also emphasized that the guarantee of Motherland Türkiye will never be abandoned.

“We will never give up on our red lines” he said.

After the speeches concluded the ceremony ended with a tour of the cemetery.