TRNC youth organisations call for Transport Minister Arıklı’s resignation

Youth organisations of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), the Communal Democracy Party (TDP) and the TAM party, together with the “Sol Gençlik” movement, issued a joint statement and called for the resignation of TRNC Minister of Public Works and Transport Erhan Arıklı following the catamaran disaster off Girne.

The authors of the appeal believe that saying “I will do what is necessary” is not enough: the vessel operated within a system overseen by Arıklı’s ministry. According to them, port operations, maritime transport safety and technical supervision fall within the ministry’s remit, so the minister must assume political responsibility.

The statement raises several questions: who inspected the vessel, who issued the permits, who was negligent and who failed to perform their duties. The youth organisations are demanding a full investigation into all the circumstances of the disaster and accountability for those responsible.

“Do not say ‘I will do what is necessary’ — do it. Erhan Arıklı, resign. Because it is not political reputation that has been lost, but human lives,” the appeal concludes.

The Filo Jet catamaran sank off Girne on 30 August, and the search has entered its third day: as of the morning of 1 September, eight people had died and another 20 were reported missing. Arıklı had previously stated that the vessel’s captain had a valid licence and 25 years of experience, while the vessel itself had passed a Türk Loydu inspection 2.5 months before the accident.