Fazil Küçük
Encyclopedia
Fazıl Küçük was the first Vice President of the Republic of Cyprus.
Fazıl Küçük, the son of a farmer, was born in Nicosia
in 1906. After graduating from the Turkish High School in Nicosia, Küçük went on to study medicine at the Universities of Istanbul
, Lausanne
and Paris
. Having returned to Cyprus in 1937, he started a practice, but his interest in politics soon led to him to become a voice for Turkish Cypriot rights. In 1941 Küçük founded the newspaper Halkın Sesi (The Voice of the People) and became the managing editor. Due to his campaign against the British colonial administration, his paper was not given a permit for publication until 1942, the paper is still being published to this day.
In 1943, he became one of the founders of the Kıbrıs Adası; Türk Azınlık Kurumu (Association of the Turkish Minority of the Island of Cyprus - known as KATAK). The aim of the party was to promote the social, economic and political well being of the Turkish Cypriot people. Due to disagreements with some of its members, Küçük parted with KATAK and established the Kıbrıs Türk Milli Birlik Partisi (Turkish Cypriot National Union Party). Following a 15 year struggle, Küçük helped for the transfer of the Evkaf (a Turkish religious fund) from British to Turkish Cypriot control.
During the 1959 London and Zurich Conferences
for the creation of an independent Republic of Cyprus, Küçük represented the Turkish Cypriot community and was able to secure constitutional safeguards for the people. On December 3, 1959 Küçük was elected Vice President of the new Republic. Following Greek Cypriot attempts to modify the constitution (see Cyprus dispute
). Küçük continued as the Vice President of the Republic of Cyprus until 1973 when he was sidelined by Rauf Denktaş
;. Despite ill health, Küçük continued to support Turkish Cypriots through his Halkın Sesi newspaper.
Dr. Küçük died in a Westminster
hospital on January 15, 1984, less than a year after the Unilateral declaration of Independence
of the auto-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
.
Fazıl Küçük, the son of a farmer, was born in Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
in 1906. After graduating from the Turkish High School in Nicosia, Küçük went on to study medicine at the Universities of Istanbul
Istanbul University
Istanbul University is a Turkish university located in Istanbul. The main campus is adjacent to Beyazıt Square.- Synopsis :A madrasa, a religious school, was established sometime in the 15th century after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. An institution of higher education named the...
, Lausanne
University of Lausanne
The University of Lausanne in Lausanne, Switzerland was founded in 1537 as a school of theology, before being made a university in 1890. Today about 12,000 students and 2200 researchers study and work at the university...
and Paris
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
. Having returned to Cyprus in 1937, he started a practice, but his interest in politics soon led to him to become a voice for Turkish Cypriot rights. In 1941 Küçük founded the newspaper Halkın Sesi (The Voice of the People) and became the managing editor. Due to his campaign against the British colonial administration, his paper was not given a permit for publication until 1942, the paper is still being published to this day.
In 1943, he became one of the founders of the Kıbrıs Adası; Türk Azınlık Kurumu (Association of the Turkish Minority of the Island of Cyprus - known as KATAK). The aim of the party was to promote the social, economic and political well being of the Turkish Cypriot people. Due to disagreements with some of its members, Küçük parted with KATAK and established the Kıbrıs Türk Milli Birlik Partisi (Turkish Cypriot National Union Party). Following a 15 year struggle, Küçük helped for the transfer of the Evkaf (a Turkish religious fund) from British to Turkish Cypriot control.
During the 1959 London and Zurich Conferences
Zürich and London Agreement
The Zürich and London Agreement for the constitution of Cyprus started with an agreement on the 19 February 1959 in Lancaster House in London, between Turkey, Greece, the United Kingdom and Cypriot community leaders...
for the creation of an independent Republic of Cyprus, Küçük represented the Turkish Cypriot community and was able to secure constitutional safeguards for the people. On December 3, 1959 Küçük was elected Vice President of the new Republic. Following Greek Cypriot attempts to modify the constitution (see Cyprus dispute
Cyprus dispute
The Cyprus dispute is the result of the ongoing conflict between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey, over the Turkish occupied northern part of Cyprus....
). Küçük continued as the Vice President of the Republic of Cyprus until 1973 when he was sidelined by Rauf Denktaş
Rauf Denktas
Rauf Raif Denktaş is the founder and the first president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus , a de facto state which is only recognized by Turkey...
;. Despite ill health, Küçük continued to support Turkish Cypriots through his Halkın Sesi newspaper.
Dr. Küçük died in a Westminster
City of Westminster
The City of Westminster is a London borough occupying much of the central area of London, England, including most of the West End. It is located to the west of and adjoining the ancient City of London, directly to the east of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and its southern boundary...
hospital on January 15, 1984, less than a year after the Unilateral declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Eight years after the Turkish Federative State of North Cyprus was proclaimed , the UDI of North Cyprus was presented to the Northern Cypriot Parliament in North Nicosia by Turkish Cypriot Leader/Northern Cypriot State President Rauf Denktaş on November 15, 1983...
of the auto-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Northern Cyprus or North Cyprus , officially the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus , is a self-declared state that comprises the northeastern part of the island of Cyprus...
.
See also
- Cyprus disputeCyprus disputeThe Cyprus dispute is the result of the ongoing conflict between the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey, over the Turkish occupied northern part of Cyprus....
- Civilian casualties and displacements during the Cyprus conflictCivilian casualties and displacements during the Cyprus conflictThis article covers the civilian casualties and displacements that occurred between 1963 and 1975 — from the outbreak of the intercommunal fighting until the end of displacements following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus....
- Politics & Elections in TRNC
- Politics of Northern Cyprus
External links
- Short description Dr Fazıl Küçük's life
- Halkın Sesi Newspaper in Turkish