The United Kingdom, as a guarantor power under the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee, holds a unique responsibility to ensure justice, equality, and stability in Cyprus. Yet, successive British High Commissioners, including the current officeholder Michael Tatham, have continually failed to uphold these principles.

 

Instead of fostering fair representation and dialogue, they have perpetuated policies that systematically ignore Turkish Cypriots’ existence and rights, enabling the Greek Cypriot leadership’s oppressive agenda.  

 

Tatham's recent remarks reaffirming Britain’s non-recognition of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) are not merely disappointing—they represent a continuation of a longstanding and deeply flawed diplomatic approach.  

 

Michael Tatham: A Diplomat Fueling Division  

Michael Tatham, the UK’s High Commissioner to Cyprus since 2023, brings decades of diplomatic experience, having served in key roles, including Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Berlin and Director of Eastern Europe and Central Asia at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. However, his expertise has not translated into an equitable approach to Cyprus. His stance echoes that of his predecessors: dismissive of Turkish Cypriot sovereignty and blind to the realities on the ground.

 

By unequivocally siding with the Greek Cypriot narrative, Tatham undermines the UK’s role as an impartial guarantor power. His refusal to even engage with the TRNC as a legitimate entity sends a clear message: the voices of Turkish Cypriots do not matter.

 

A History of High Commissioner Failures  

Michael Tatham is not the first British High Commissioner to adopt a discriminatory stance toward Turkish Cypriots. Successive UK representatives have consistently aligned themselves with the Greek Cypriot leadership, tacitly endorsing their unilateral claim to represent the entire island. 

 

This approach perpetuates the falsehood that Turkish Cypriots are merely a minority group rather than a distinct and equal people. It also exacerbates the isolation imposed on the TRNC, which remains trapped under unjust embargoes and diplomatic exclusion. How can the UK, as a guarantor power, claim to support peace when it actively fuels the marginalization of one side?

  

The UK’s Betrayal of Its Responsibilities  

The UK’s actions—or lack thereof—constitute a breach of its obligations under international law. As a guarantor power, Britain is required to safeguard the rights of both communities on the island. Yet, its policies have systematically favored the Greek Cypriot leadership while ignoring the plight of Turkish Cypriots.

  

By refusing to recognize the TRNC or engage in meaningful dialogue with its leaders, the UK has failed to honor its commitment to neutrality and justice. This policy not only violates the spirit of the Treaty of Guarantee but also perpetuates the human rights abuses inflicted on Turkish Cypriots by the Greek Cypriot administration.

  

A Parallel of Injustice  

The UK’s stance on Cyprus stands in stark contrast to its support for other self-determination movements around the world. For example, Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence in 2008 was met with widespread recognition, including from the UK. Yet, the TRNC, established after decades of persecution and ethnic cleansing attempts against Turkish Cypriots, remains unrecognized.

 

This glaring double standard reveals the hypocrisy of the UK’s foreign policy. Why is the right to self-determination valid for some but not for others?

  

The Human Rights Dimension  

The UK’s refusal to recognize the TRNC is not just a diplomatic issue—it is a human rights violation. This policy denies Turkish Cypriots their right to self-determination, effectively placing them under the control of a Greek Cypriot administration that does not represent them.

 

Moreover, the ongoing embargoes and isolations imposed on the TRNC—tacitly endorsed by the UK—deprive Turkish Cypriots of economic opportunities, freedom of movement, and access to international platforms. These measures are nothing short of collective punishment.

  

As Arkın Öksüzoğlu founder of TCE in London remarked:  

"We are treated as if we don’t exist. We’ve contributed so much to British society, yet our rights and identity are completely ignored. It’s an absolute travesty."  

 

The UK’s Neglect of the Turkish Cypriot Diaspora  

The UK is home to an estimated 350,000 Turkish Cypriots, one of the largest diasporas in the world. These individuals have made significant contributions to British society, excelling in fields such as business, arts, and academia. Yet, their concerns and aspirations are routinely overlooked by successive High Commissioners.

  

By refusing to acknowledge the TRNC, the UK dismisses the identity and heritage of its Turkish Cypriot citizens. This neglect is not only unjust but also deeply insulting to a community that has played an integral role in the UK’s multicultural fabric.

  

A Call for Change  

It is time for the UK to reassess its policy on Cyprus. As a guarantor power, it must engage with the TRNC as a legitimate representative of the Turkish Cypriot people. This does not mean abandoning the goal of a peaceful resolution—it means acknowledging the reality that there are two distinct peoples on the island, each with their own rights and aspirations.

 

Dialogue, not denial, is the only path to progress. The UK must move beyond the outdated framework of a “bicommunal federation” and recognize that the Greek Cypriot leadership cannot represent Turkish Cypriots.

 

Legal Accountability and International Pressure  

The UK’s actions—or inaction—may be challenged under international law. Denying Turkish Cypriots their right to self-determination violates the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter. Legal experts and human rights organizations must hold the UK accountable for its complicity in the continued oppression of Turkish Cypriots.

 

TCE Conclusion  

Michael Tatham’s tenure as High Commissioner has laid bare the UK’s failure to fulfill its obligations as a guarantor power. His refusal to engage with the TRNC or acknowledge the existence of Turkish Cypriots perpetuates a cycle of injustice and isolation.

 

The UK must abandon its biased and ineffective approach, which serves only to entrench divisions and deny Turkish Cypriots their rightful place in the international community. It is time for Britain to honor its responsibilities, recognize the TRNC, and support a solution based on equality and mutual respect. Anything less is a betrayal of the values it claims to uphold.

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References  
- "UK will not recognise north’s regime, says new high commissioner," Cyprus Mail, 29 November 2024.  
- United Nations Charter, 1945.  
- Treaty of Guarantee, 1960.  
- Personal accounts from Turkish Cypriots in the UK.