On 30 November 1963, Archbishop Makarios III, the President of Cyprus, proposed a controversial set of constitutional amendments, known as the “Thirteen Points.” These amendments aimed to address perceived inefficiencies in the governance of Cyprus following its independence in 1960 but ultimately deepened divisions between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, setting the stage for future conflict.
The Background
Cyprus had gained independence from British colonial rule in 1960, based on a power-sharing agreement enshrined in the Constitution. This agreement, mediated by Greece, Turkey, and Britain, established a bi-communal government, allocating political representation to Greek Cypriots (the majority) and Turkish Cypriots (the minority). However, the rigid structure of the constitution led to frequent deadlocks in governance, fuelling frustration on both sides.
Archbishop Makarios, representing the Greek Cypriot majority, sought to amend the constitution to improve governmental functionality. Turkish Cypriots, however, viewed the amendments as undermining their political rights and autonomy, leading to heightened tensions.
The Thirteen Points
The proposed amendments were as follows:
- Abolition of the veto rights of the President and the Vice-President of the Republic.
- Abolition of the separate majorities in the House of Representatives.
- Common electoral roll.
- Abolition of the separate municipalities.
- Abolition of the Greek Communal Chamber and the Turkish Communal Chamber.
- Abolition of the provisions regarding the composition of the Public Service Commission.
- Abolition of the provisions regarding the composition of the Armed Forces.
- Abolition of the provisions regarding the composition of the Security Forces.
- Abolition of the provisions regarding the composition of the Judiciary.
- Abolition of the provisions regarding the composition of the Educational Service Commission.
- Abolition of the provisions regarding the composition of the Broadcasting Service Commission.
- Abolition of the provisions regarding the composition of the Public Service.
- Abolition of the provisions regarding the composition of the Police Force.
The rejection of these proposals contributed to escalating tensions and intercommunal violence, significantly impacting the island’s subsequent history.
The Aftermath
The Turkish Cypriot leadership rejected the proposals outright, accusing Makarios of violating the spirit of the agreements underpinning Cypriot independence. The rejection led to escalating tensions, culminating in violent intercommunal clashes in December 1963, often referred to as “Bloody Christmas.” These events marked the collapse of the power-sharing government and led to the withdrawal of Turkish Cypriot officials from state institutions.
The “Thirteen Points” thus became a flashpoint in the history of Cyprus, contributing to the island’s division and the eventual deployment of UN peacekeeping forces in 1964.
