The march in Nicosia, Cyprus demanded justice for the 35 Cypriots who died in a hotel collapse in Turkey during an earthquake. Families and supporters gathered to honor the victims and push for legal action against those responsible for the tragedy.
What was the purpose of the march in Nicosia, Cyprus?
The march in Nicosia, Cyprus was organized to demand justice and accountability for the tragic deaths of 35 Cypriots who perished in a hotel collapse in Turkey during an earthquake. The protestors sought to honor the victims’ memory and push for legal action against those responsible for the incident.
A Night of Remembrance and Protest
In a poignant display of grief and solidarity, hundreds thronged the streets of northern Nicosia, Cyprus, illuminated by the soft glow of tiki torches as they sought justice for lives lost. The event took place on a Friday night, a somber march demanding accountability for the tragic demise of 24 children and 11 adults. These Cypriots perished in the ruins of a hotel in Turkey, which crumbled during a catastrophic earthquake the previous year.
The processional commenced at the northern Nicosia bus station with a clear mission: to cast a light on the path to justice for the 35 Cypriot victims. As twilight fell over the city, the marchers continued their journey to the Turkish Embassy in Nicosia, a silent yet forceful call for action resonating in their every step.
From Dawn to Dusk
This demonstration of sorrow and demand for justice was not a sudden occurrence. The day’s activities had officially started in the early morning hours at 4.03am. Fathers, hearts heavy with loss, embarked on a walk from the Famagusta Turk Maarif Koleji school, where their children had studied. This walk was a testament to their enduring love and the quest for truth, leading them to join the larger group of protesters later that evening.
November of the previous year had witnessed a similar march, its backdrop the children’s hometown of Famagusta. There, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, alongside officials from the north’s ‘government’, led hundreds from the school to the cemetery where the young souls lay at rest. Both demonstrations united in a singular demand: to bring those responsible for the collapse of the Isias hotel in Adiyaman to justice, and to account for the intentional loss of 35 Cypriot and 37 other lives.
Voices for the Voiceless
At the heart of the protests was Rusen Yucesoylu Karakaya, a mother mourning her daughter Selin and leading the association of bereaved parents. Outside the embassy, she spoke with a resolve forged from unimaginable pain, “Our only cause is the truth shown by science and the rule of law.” Karakaya’s words painted a picture of a community that had set aside its own agony to pursue justice and accountability for a generation wiped out in mere moments.
The trials of the 11 individuals implicated in the hotel’s collapse are an open wound for the bereaved, a recurring reminder of the day that took their loved ones. The court proceedings are set to continue on April 26 in Adiyaman. Karakaya expressed the collective resolve, “We will always be after these murderers who took our loved ones away from us,” signaling an unwavering commitment to justice that stretches beyond borders and time.
The Legal Battle Ahead
The upcoming trial in Adiyaman marks a critical juncture as all eyes turn to the judicial system’s response. The 11 defendants, among them the hotel owner and his sons, face charges of “causing death by conscious negligence”. However, the community and the Turkish Cypriot political sphere urge for those charges to reflect the gravity of the act as one of intentional killing.
As the trial resumes, five of the defendants had previously been detained, with two released since the last hearing. The families’ relentless pursuit of justice has led to meetings with figures such as Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc, indicative of the case’s far-reaching implications and the profound need for closure and justice.
What was the purpose of the march in Nicosia, Cyprus?
The march in Nicosia, Cyprus was organized to demand justice and accountability for the tragic deaths of 35 Cypriots who perished in a hotel collapse in Turkey during an earthquake. The protestors sought to honor the victims’ memory and push for legal action against those responsible for the incident.
Who organized the march in Nicosia, Cyprus?
The march in Nicosia, Cyprus was likely organized by family members, supporters, and community members seeking justice for the 35 Cypriots who died in the hotel collapse in Turkey. The march was a collective effort to bring attention to the tragedy and demand legal action against those responsible.
What legal action is being pursued in response to the hotel collapse in Turkey?
The 11 individuals implicated in the hotel collapse in Turkey, including the hotel owner and his sons, are facing charges of “causing death by conscious negligence”. However, there is a push from the community and Turkish Cypriot political sphere for the charges to reflect the severity of the act as intentional killing. The trial is set to continue on April 26 in Adiyaman.
How are the families of the victims involved in seeking justice for the tragic incident?
The families of the victims, led by individuals like Rusen Yucesoylu Karakaya, are actively involved in seeking justice for their loved ones. They have been vocal in demanding accountability and have met with Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc to discuss the case. The families remain committed to pursuing justice and ensuring those responsible are held accountable for the loss of 35 Cypriot lives.
