Cyprus Mail 13th June

Support across the Green Line as Turkish Cypriot lecturers battle dismissal By Leo Leonidou(archive article - Friday, June 13, 2008) A PETITION was yesterday handed in to the Turkish Cypriot ‘parliament’, demanding the reinstatement of 78 teachers at the European University of Lefke who have been fired over the past two years.
Semra Galip, a Professor of Sociology at Sorbonne University, who hails from the town and whose brother was one of those dismissed, yesterday told the Mail that the dismissals are illegal.
“Legal action has been initiated by the teachers, who include Turks, Cypriots, Americans and Britons,” she said.
According to Galip, there is, “disorder at the university, where political power is being exerted and cliques formed on the board.”
She added that many of those fired have taken to sleeping in tents outside ‘Parliament’ and the university in protest.
“We have the support of numerous civil organisations from both sides of the Green Line as well as from Greek Cypriot teachers,” she said.
“If there is no positive response in the next week, we plan on staging a huge demonstration.”
A man teaching at the university for over ten years before being sacked said the problems began with the appointment of a new rector two years ago.
“Teachers have a constitutional right to join the Cyprus Turkish Secondary School Teachers Union (KTOEOS) and we cannot lose our jobs for doing so,” he explained.
Two half-day warning strikes took place in March, with everybody participating receiving warning letters.
A week-long strike was then arranged beginning on May 11, with 18 people sacked by the university five days later.
“Eventually, the staff felt that more needed to be done to make a stand and save the university from the actions of the current administration and that’s why we have handed in the petition,” the man said. “We need to exert pressure on the government to bring about the reinstatement of the teachers.”
He added that, “after working there for so long, I am feeling very bitter about what has happened.”
A British lecturer said she was “in shock” over the sackings.
“These people are being denied their rights. We simply want to be able to be part of the union,” she said.
The woman added that she was told she would have her contract terminated if she joined.
Costis Achniotis, a member of the Greek Cypriot United Cyprus Teachers Union, also said he backed the teachers.
“We are fully behind them and must try to show our support and solidarity in any way we can,” he said.


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