Cyprus - CAPT Best Practice Visit 5 th 12 th May 2010 1. Activity Questionnaire Feedback As part of the research framework implemented for the Best Practice Visit a total of three questionnaires were designed and distributed to the 10 CAPT participants who took part. The first a pre-visit questionnaire was distributed on the outward bound flight to Cyprus and the post-visit and activity questionnaire were distributed prior to leaving Cyprus. In addition to the questionnaires participants were also asked to keep a diary throughout their visit to record their immediate thoughts and reflections on what they had been exposed to throughout the visit. A full discussion on the Cyprus Best Practice Visit including the information drawn from the diaries and the pre and post-questionnaires will be presented in a Final Research report to be circulated at a later date. 1.1 Activity Questionnaire The purpose of the Activity Questionnaire was to give participants the opportunity to record their views on specific aspects of the visit and to outline any follow-up action they would like to see taken on their return to Northern Ireland. There was space on the questionnaire for participants to offer any further comments. The Activity Questionnaire had a response rate of 80%% per cent and the following section is a summary of the responses received. 1.2 Usefulness of Background Paper/Briefing Pack A Background Paper was circulated to all participants in advance of the study visit. The purpose of the Background paper was to provide an introduction, not only to the conflict but also to policing in Cyprus that was chronically sound and worked its way from past to present. However, it should be noted that in terms of information regarding police community relations in Cyprus, this was limited due to the lack of focused material in this area. The preparation of the background paper was considered essential as the majority of participants had little, if any knowledge, of the context of what is commonly referred to as the Cyprus problem. Therefore without adequate knowledge of the past it would have been difficult for participants on the Best Practice Visit to attempt any analysis or interpretation of the present context of the Cyprus problem. When participants were asked how useful they found this material responses would indicate that all participants considered the material provided as either useful or very useful. With regard to the Briefing Pack participants considered the paper very comprehensive in its content and a very useful document for the duration of the visit. 1.3 Usefulness of Site visits One important implication of the lack of specific literature or documents on Police/Community Relations was the opportunity the site visits presented in terms of collecting information in this area. A total of six site visits took place. Unfortunately this was two less than originally planned, as the visits to the Reconstruction and Resettlement Council and Turkish Cypriot Police, despite numerous attempts to make contact, did not take place. In addition to the site visits participants were taken on a bus tour of Famagusta and Varosha and had the opportunity to join invited guests (see 1.6) for dinner in Nicosia.
1.4 UN Police Headquarters The first of the five site visits was to the United Nations Building to meet with the Senior Advisor to the UN Police, John Farrelly, who along with colleagues gave a presentation outlining the role and challenges for the UN police serving in Cyprus. Following this meeting the group were taken to the buffer zone to see the old abandoned Nicosia International Airport. At the airport J. Farrelly and Deputy Commander Phil Spence outlined for the group the circumstances and events that led up to the creation of the Buffer Zone and of the role and operational challenges this created for the UN Police. In terms of the usefulness of this site visit to increasing participants understanding Community & Police relations the majority of participants indicated that this meeting was useful for broadening their understanding of the background to the conflict and of the situation as it stands now. 1.5 British High Commission Despite the difficult conditions in which this meeting took place (lack of air conditioning, refreshments and cramped conditions) this meeting proved very interesting as participants were made aware that the overall strategic aim of the work of the British High Commission is to bring about a settlement process. To achieve this aim, participants heard that the Commission was involved in a number of activities which included a small number of bio-communal economic projects, diversity training for Police and a two day conference which focused on Police minorities. 1.6 Dinner with Invited Guests The social activities for the CAPT study group included dinner with Ambassador Tom Brady (Irish Embassy), James Carouso (Economic and Commercial Officer, US Embassy), Alan Davis (USAID), John Farrelly and Ken Brennan (USFICYP). This was judged as a very enjoyable evening for all as participants availed of the opportunity to have an informal conversation with the invited guests. 1.7 Cypriot Police The visit to the Cypriot Police was viewed as disappointing in terms of the information it yielded. From discussions held with Mr Symeon Padadopoulos & Mr Petros Pattouras at Police Headquarters it was clear that there was no cooperation between the Greek Cypriot police in the South and the Turkish Cypriot police in the North. The Cypriot police went on to explain that the lack of engagement was a direct consequence of the political situation. Furthermore, and as observed by one participant their description of police community relations was somewhat more rosy than other commentators would suggest. In terms of community policing it would appear that there is no real engagement between police and their communities. 1.8 USAID/US Embassy The majority of participants reported that the USAID/US Embassy discussion on the status of the current negotiations was both very interesting and informative. The group were told that intensive negotiations have been taking place for the last eighteen months on what is referred to as the six 6 Chapters (i.e. Power Sharing, the Economy, European Union, Property, Territory and Security issues).
The current situation is that there is near agreement on the first three chapters but progress on the remaining three areas is frustratingly slow. However, the meeting did give participants the impression that behind-the-scenes activity was laying the foundations for the emergence of new structures within which it is hoped new socio-political relations can be formed. 1.9 Turkish Cypriot Human Rights Foundation (TCHRF) The final site visit to take place was to the Turkish Cypriot Human Rights Foundation (TCHRF) in Nicosia. Here the Director of the TCHRF, a female Human Rights lawyer, delivered a talk on the origins and objectives of the TCHRF in a very articulate and enthusiastic manner. It was at this meeting that the group first learned that the Trade Unions were actively working together and of the bi-communal work the TCHRF were involved in. Discussion also took place about the various activities such as conferences, panels, and training to educate the public about issues related to human rights which the TCHRF organises. The majority of the participants commented that they found this meeting particularly interesting. One participant expressed the group s sentiments about the value of this visit as he wrote: The most interesting part of the visit was the seminar with the Human Rights NGO in Northern Cyprus. I think this aspect of the situation was most insightful and very useful in setting the overall sense of what cooperation was taking place In addition to the organised visits to the various organisations discussed above participants were taken by bus to Famagustsa and Varosha ( ghost town ). In Famagusta participants were exposed to buildings that bore the scars of bombings carried out by the Turkish Airforce and which now stand as powerful visual reminders of the 1974 invasion. Sealed off by the Turkish Army after being captured the Varosha section of Famagusta is a town which remains locked in a historical stasis: as personal positions and remnants of family life remain untouched since the invasion in 1974. The visit graphically illustrated to all that Cyprus is a land divided and as George (a refugee from the North) our bus driver explained, the town of Varosha remains a poignant symbol of what the Greeks lost. most struck by the visit to Famagusta/Varousha and the conversation held with George our drive re how he felt about going back to Northern side brought into perspective what a problem they have Participants were also asked if there were any aspects of the visit they would have changed. The comments received would suggest that the majority of participants would have liked to have had more contact with organisations in the North of the Island, in particular the police and the Trade Unions. However, there was also the recognition that the lack of contact with the police in the North was outside the control of the trip organisers. One participant said that they felt the trip was too long. The following comments are representative of those received: More contact with Turkish Groups would be useful It would have been useful to have had the opportunity to meet with the police from the North side of the island to get a more rounded view of Policing on both sides of the border. Would have like the opportunity to hear the Turkish Cypriot police experience of community/police relations
Probably meeting more NGO s from Northern side and meeting Trade Unionists When participants were asked to consider the best aspects of the visit several made reference to the visit to the UN and the TCHRF. Comments suggest that these visits lead to an increased understanding of how Cyprus, has been and remains the victim of great power politics and rivalries and of how the lack of agreement between Greek and Turkish speaking communities stymies notions of united action. The organisation of the trip was excellent and a lot of hard work had gone into the planning of the visit. The different perspectives of policing provided by the different groups was very useful. The interaction between the steering group members through debriefing sessions was very good and helped in capturing and discussing key themes. I think that the trip has developed the capabilities of the SG to work as a cohesive group in driving the CAPT project forward. A very good atmosphere between all delegates and a very interesting visit from a professional point of view Visits 1 & 5 were the most interesting and informative. I would have liked a visit with the Police on the North. Overall the visit was very well organised which facilitated my further education on the status of the current situation in the country overall going away with a better understanding of political situation in Cyprus enjoyed our own group discussions about our differences in relation to policing- great visit Increasing the cooperation and understanding of the group 1.10 Further Action In terms of any further action that should take place following the Best Practice visit a number of participants suggested that in addition to developing the contact made with the TCHRF efforts should be made to contact the Trade Unions as it would appear that they are the groups actively working together. Other actions included exploring the possibility of inviting key figures from these organisations back to Belfast as there may exist an opportunity to export the CAPT model to Cyprus. From what we have seen here I feel we have more to offer Cyprus than Cyprus us. Any follow on would definitely be to their advantage in such a positive way. Study visits like this show us the positive side of what we are doing I would like to develop further the relationship with other NGO s both sides of the Buffer Zone Contact with Human Rights Group and Trade Unions across Cyprus and Police in TRNC Will be following up on requesting further info from some of the groups- engagement with HR Foundation The possibility of some of the people coming to Belfast 1.11. Comments
The final section of the questionnaire gave participants an opportunity to add any further comment about the study visit. A selection of the comment s received are presented below. This was a very worthwhile trip which reinforced the importance of the work that the CAPT project is delivering. Sometimes it is important to reflect on how far Policing and Community have come in Northern Ireland and the importance of continuing with this work I found the study group participants incredible people to work with. I learnt a lot from their experiences and points of view which they shared openly, honestly and willingly. The group gelled very well and this made the study visit a memorable for me The visit was worthwhile in bringing the group together and also helping to understand our own journey to date in relation to PC relations we have come a long way Study visits like this show the positive side of what we are doing Overall the responses indicate that the study visit was viewed as a success in a number of ways. First it highlighted for participants how far Northern Ireland has come in terms of resolving its conflict, a conflict which once appeared intractable. This observation had the effect of galvanising the resolve, drive and commitment of the participant s to the CAPT programme and its objectives. Secondly, participants were able to identify the prerequisites necessary to allow the police and the community to successfully navigate the deficit of trust that currently exists. One final note, one participant argued that in order to avoid an over reliance on external third party assistance to arrange meetings on behalf of CAPT prior to study visits taking place the CAPT Steering Group should consider the following suggestion: As this was the first best practice visit there was some aspects of trial and error. It is vital in the next Best Practice visit to have good connections in the places to visit so that a full programme is developed to meet objectives. It might be necessary to have an advance visit to organise the programme. Appendix 1: Participants on the CAPT Best Practice Visit Liam Maskey Noel Rooney Amanda Leighton Stephen Martin Chris Yates Peter Loughins Executive Director Intercomm Ireland CAPT Project Manager INCORE/CAPT Researcher Chief Superintendent PSNI Area Commander PSNI Advisor to CAPT project
David Ring Jack O Connor Hugo Sweeney Lorna Somers Peter Bunting Michelle Wilson Superintendent An Garda Siochana Department of Social Development Tyrone/Donegal Partnership Belfast District Policing Partnership Manager Irish Congress of Trade Unions CAPT project support worker