Members met for the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Rizokarpasso held at the Cypriot Community Centre, Wood Green. The Association was established in 1975 following the Turkish invasion and continued occupation of the northern part of the Republic of Cyprus and has held an AGM every year except for 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid Pandemic. They discussed the challenges faced by Cyprus and especially in relation to the plight of compatriots who have been enclaved for over 50 years and their denial of Human Rights. The members discussed the activities of the Association and looked forward to their forthcoming Summer Lunch and Dance at the Cypriot Community Centre on 5th July which will be enjoyed by all their family members regardless of their age, remembering their heritage and Rizokarpasso roots.
The President of the Association, Mary Karaolis, presented the Association’s activities since the last AGM showing that the Association and its members continue to engage in political and philanthropic activities for Cyprus. The Association has actively participated in the National Federation of Cypriots in UK “Hands off Cyprus” campaign and over 200 members sent emails to the Member of Parliament where they lived, covering 44 Parliamentary constituencies throughout the country. Members were reminded that they should complete the NFC Register of Property in Occupied Cyprus if they have not already done so. The Association has: been represented at NFC meetings in Parliament; regularly sent letters to Members of Parliament e.g. regarding attempts to recognise the illegal airport in occupied Cyprus; reported and sent letters when the media have tried to promote illegally occupied north Cyprus; participated in demonstrations outside the Turkish Embassy.
The Association has been represented at numerous community and philanthropic events in the UK and also at POMAK (World Conference for Overseas Cypriots) in Nicosia. Following the POMAK Conference, Rizokarpasso Kinodarchis and member of the Union of Displaced Communities of Famagusta, Michalis Mikeli Panteli, together with Elena Vlasiou, President of the Association of Rizokarpasso in Cyprus met in Larnaca at the Union of Displaced Communities of Famagusta, with Mary Karaolis, President of the Association of Rizokarpasso in Britain, and Rizokarpassides Kostas Kolatsis from South Africa, Michael Mechanicou from Australia and Christos Karaolis President of the National Federation of Cypriots in UK and President POMAK, (a 3rd generation UK born Cypriot whose grandmother was born in Rizokarpasso) to discuss initiatives to promote awareness of Rizokarpasso and the enclaved. The Association once again sent each of the 52 enclaved school children a Christmas card and a €100 present funded jointly by the Help Rizokarpasso Charity and the Hive Foundation; gave donations to charities in memory of members e.g. to Cancer Research, Royal Free Hospital Charity as well as to the Government of Cyprus Wildfire Support Account.
Each member present at the AGM again received a Cyprus map lapel pin which they can gift to a relative or friend to wear and use as a talking point to raise the profile of Cyprus and the need for a just and viable solution. The members passed a Resolution to be sent to the UK Prime Minister, President of the USA, President of the European Commission, President of the European Council, President of the European Parliament, UN Secretary General, NATO Secretary General, Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations, ambassadors of the UN Security Council 15 member countries and Germany. Our Resolution includes the need for a negotiated solution for Cyprus to encompass:
a) The reunification of the island and people of Cyprus,
b) The removal of all Turkish troops from Cyprus.
c) The repatriation to Turkey of illegal settlers in Cyprus.
d) The return of all properties to their lawful owners.
e) The return of all the refugees to their homes and properties in safety.
f) The abolition of the anachronistic Guarantor Status held by other countries.
g) The full and effective investigation of the fate of all the missing persons.
The members remembered the sacrifices of the enclaved in Rizokarpasso, especially teacher Yiannoulla Lazaridou Vasiliou (1937 – 17.10.2025) who remained enclaved in Rizokarpasso until her retirement in 1996 so she could teach the enclaved schoolchildren. Poems on “Rizokarpasso” by Zacharias Demetri Charou were read by his niece Maria Demetriou, Vice President of the Association of Rizokarpasso in Britain. The meeting finished with members enjoying souvlakia and catching up with friends; it was an enjoyable opportunity to socialise in good company and remember Rizokarpasso.
