Erhürman: Christodoulides Acts as if the Turkish Cypriot People Do Not Exist

During the event, Erhürman was accompanied by Communal Democracy Party (TDP) leader Zeki Çeler, CTP Secretary-General Erkut Şahali, Mesarya Mayor Ahmet Latif, CTP Famagusta District Chair Oktay Kayalp, and several MPs. He highlighted that the current administration has turned the country into what he described as an “open-air prison,” noting that many people are unable to travel freely—some cannot go to Turkey, others cannot cross to the south, and some cannot go anywhere at all. “For five years, the country has been turned into an open-air prison, and the people have been confined to Sarayönü. They are trying to isolate us from the world, creating the impression that we do not exist. The walls of this prison will be torn down after October 19, and the people will finally reconnect with the world,” Erhürman stated.

He criticized the inactivity of the Republic Security Council, headed by the President, which has not convened even once during this period. He also condemned the government for allowing the economy to shift southward without taking any proactive steps and questioned the renewed discussions around the Immovable Property Commission (IPC), which was established in 2005 and recognized by the European Court of Human Rights in 2010 as an effective domestic remedy. “Property cases are being reopened now. How did you manage this?” he asked, highlighting what he sees as mismanagement.

Erhürman stressed that after October 19, the Presidency will act as the guardian of the freedoms of the Turkish Cypriot people. “The next President will ensure that this people’s rights and liberties are protected. There will be seriousness, and work will be carried out with determination. This is something we desperately need. A huge void has been left,” he said, directly criticizing Christodoulides for ignoring the Turkish Cypriot community.

He concluded his speech by projecting hope for the future: “This people will be happy and hopeful, looking forward. Together, we will build a country where our children and grandchildren can return. We will move forward together, and together we will succeed.”