Üstel: “Massacres cannot be considered an act of heroism”

Prime Minister Ünal Üstel emphasised that the Turkish Cypriot people had written their history through resistance, honour and determination to establish a state, stating, ‘Massacres are not heroism.’

Prime Minister Üstel criticized recent remarks by Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides, stating that describing the ‘Bloody Christmas’, a symbol of systematic massacres against the Turkish Cypriot people, as ‘heroism’ is not only a historical distortion but also a clear glorification of violence against civilians.

Üstel underlined that presenting past atrocities as heroic actions undermines trust and makes genuine dialogue, reconciliation, and a shared future on the island impossible. He stated that the Turkish Cypriot people had once again clearly demonstrated to the world why the Turkish Cypriot people consider Türkiye’s effective and de facto guarantorship, as well as the presence of Turkish forces on the island, to be vital for their security.

He concluded that lasting peace in Cyprus can only be achieved through an honest acknowledgement of historical realities, not by legitimizing violence.