Famagustans launch campaign to collect signatures for return of refugees

Under the slogan “Let’s give voice to our city”, the refugee Municipality of Famagusta began on Saturday a campaign to collect signatures by Famagusta refugees demanding that they be allowed to return to the fenced off town.
In a speech at the ceremony at the occupied town’s Cultural Centre in Dherynia village, Mayor of Famagusta Alexis Galanos said that “today we begin a campaign for the return of the town of Famagusta which is deserted and we refuse to become accustomed to this picture. We want Famagusta to reign once again”.
“This great injustice violates UN resolutions and especially resolution 550 and high level agreements”, Galanos said.
He called on all people of Famagusta to come forward to sign to give the town the power to promote the issue everywhere and especially before Europe”.
Galanos said that before any more chapters in Turkey’s EU accession open, “the big chapter of the return to the city of Famagusta should open as well as the right for our refugees to return to their homes”.
In his address, Mayor of Athens Nikitas Kaklamanis who is in Cyprus for the Famagusta cause, conveyed the solidarity and support of the people of Athens who “want to unite their power and voices with that of the people of Famagusta in the struggle to bring back life to the town of Famagusta”.
He assured that Athens will continue to play the role of the mediator at international fora, because “we cannot tolerate any further delay from any side”.
Signatures will be collected from today and thereafter from 21 designated places across the island. Eligible to sign the Declaration are Famagusta citizens aged 12 and over. Refugees residing abroad are also able to sign online at www.ammochostos.org.cy.