Those who spread hatred over so many days are now pretending to be innocent
AKEL vehemently denounces the unacceptable actions outside Parliament
Written statement by Stefanos Stefanou, AKEL C.C. Press Spokesperson
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 7th April 2017, Nicosia
Both inside and outside the House of Representatives unacceptable events took place that undermine democracy. The climax of these unacceptable and condemnable actions was the vulgar attack waged by thugs against the General Secretary of AKEL outside Parliament.
What happened inside and outside Parliament is the result of the fanaticism that various parties and political leaders regretfully provoked through the hate speeches they had been making for weeks.
With their rhetoric they have divided our people and political forces into “patriots” and “non-patriots”, into “uncompromising fighters” and “submissive servants”, into “traitors” and “fighters” and into “servants of Akinci and the Turks”.
All those forces and circles who for weeks had been cursing, swearing and provoking, all those who for weeks were talking about “national humiliation”, “the abolition of the Republic of Cyprus and the House of Representatives” turned themselves into agencies of fanaticism, tension and abuse.
Now everyone is rushing to express regret for the situation that has evolved. But people know who tried all through this period to speak with the voice of reason and who was simply engaging in insults and provoking.
AKEL, guided by reason and the need to annul any pretext provided to the Turkish side, voted for the draft bill tabled by DISY so that the negotiations can continue. AKEL’s stand is an expression of patriotism and responsibility towards our country and people. AKEL will not be misled by the intolerance, nationalism and exploitation of patriotic feelings which in recent weeks have regrettably swelled. AKEL will continue to serve the efforts to achieve a solution, which will bring the liberation of Cyprus and the reunification of our people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
