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A troubling incident has emerged from the Karpasia (Karpaz) Peninsula, where a local shepherd was reportedly assaulted after being mistaken for a Greek Cypriot. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation across social media and raised serious concerns about racism and intolerance in the area.
According to local accounts, the victim, identified as Vefa, was subjected to verbal and physical abuse by two unidentified individuals. The perpetrators are said to have justified their actions by claiming, “We thought he was a Greek.”
Public reaction was swift, especially among residents of the area. Among those speaking out was Duygu Zengin Pasa, who issued a heartfelt statement on social media condemning the attack and expressing solidarity with Vefa. She described him as one of the most respected and kind-hearted members of the local community, and called for those responsible to be brought to justice.
Pasa highlighted the long-standing history of peaceful coexistence in Rizokarpaso (Dipkarpaz), where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots have shared land, space, and cultural traditions for generations. She noted that speaking Greek in the region is a natural expression of this shared heritage and should not be a cause for suspicion or hostility.
She also recounted her own experiences with discrimination, recalling that the attack on Vefa was not only a personal assault, but an affront to coexistence, tolerance, and the human values that have long characterized the area.
Her message concluded with a powerful call for unity and understanding: “Our differences are our richness. They should be a reason for peace, not enmity.”
With information from Cyprus Mirror.
