Cyprus, an island divided by history and marred by militarization, stands as a testament to the enduring legacies of colonialism and nationalism. It’s a land where Greek and Turkish Cypriots coexist amidst a tapestry of migrant communities, all under the shadow of a past heavy with the echoes of an anti-colonial guerrilla war against England. Yet, this complex heritage has become fodder for modern-day neo-fascists, who exploit the island’s storied history of resistance for their own hateful ends.
As Europe grapples with consequences of inhumane “Fortress Europe” immigration policies, Cyprus’s fascists have seized the moment, attacking migrant workers with impunity. Just two days after a boat carrying migrants capsized in a fatal accident, the official fascist party of Cyprus, ELAM, shamelessly marched against migrants, practically over the corpses from the recent disaster.
Anti-fascist Cypriots responded in kind with a courtesy call to ELAM offices. The police, of course, decided this was the crime that needed response to, arresting some local anti-fascists on flimsy evidence and rumours. Not content with mere arrests, the authorities are now spinning tales of a “terrorist organization,” aiming to label “Antifa” as terrorists, thus granting themselves carte blanche to repress and silence dissent. This video provides an excellent overview of the case.
But let’s be clear: the real face of terror isn’t those who resist fascism; it’s the fascists themselves and the border police who enact violence daily on migrants. The recent pogroms, sanctioned by silent nods from the authorities, have left migrants injured, their shops and homes destroyed, and their families thoroughly terrorized.
The legal entanglements stemming from these events have skyrocketed the legal fees for our comrades. But we will not stand idly by. The Defence Fund has made a significant contribution to their legal defence fund and we call on all anti-fascists to do likewise.
The International Anti-Fascist Defence Fund 
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