A joint statement was made by MHD, VOIS and the Liberia Students’ Group on the beating of foreign student William A. Peter by a group of violent youths in Nicosia. In the statement, it was noted that racism and xenophobia have increased in the TRNC.
MHD, VOIS and Liberia Students’ Group stated that foreign student William A. Peter was beaten by a group of attackers in the city center of Nicosia on September 11, and argued that the incident is an indication of the increase in racism and xenophobia in the TRNC.
In the joint press release, it was stated that university student William A. Peter, who had nothing to do with an accident that occurred in the Gonyeli region a few days ago, was severely beaten and hospitalized by a group that was thought to be the friends of the people who caused the accident.
The statement said, “This racist and xenophobic attitudes lie at the root of this incident experienced by an innocent student today.” expressions were used.
The statement summarized the following:
“With the increasing racist and xenophobic violence in Northern Cyprus, where thousands of students come to get university education every year, the most basic human right, the right to live in safety is violated and this situation creates an unsafe environment. Reflecting this event as a street fight in the media, the fact that this unfair and racist attack is not reported in any way paves the way for increased racist attitudes and violations in the implementation of justice. As MHD, VOIS and Liberia Students’ Union, we expect the state and its mechanisms to do what needs to be done about the incident as soon as possible and we will follow up on the issue. We are in contact with the police. We would like to inform you that we will do our best to provide all kinds of support to the student and will publish updates on the subject as much as possible.”