The president of the Hellenic Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis, in a statement to mark the black anniversary of 59 years since the dissolution of democracy in our country in 1967.
Clarifying that “there is no room for jokes with our institutions, with our democracy”, he notes that “memory and responsibility in our decisions are required, so that we never experience April 21 again.”
Nikitas Kaklamanis said in his statement:
“April 21, 1967, is a milestone, a black spot in the modern history of our country. 59 years ago on such a day, fanatical colonels wanted to imprison democracy,raising an “iron curtain” on representative parliamentary institutions. They imposed silence on the expression of free opinion, torture and imprisonment of dissidents for a whole seven years. The consequence was to eventually lead to Attila’s invasion of Cyprus and the occupation of 36% of the island’s territory ever since.
Today, 59 years after that fateful day for democracy, we all have a duty to honour the struggles to restore it. To remember and not to be silent. As responsible citizens, it is forbidden to play with the institutions to prevent those who will attempt to put Greece back in the “plaster” again in the future.
So that we can enjoy free air, with free thinking, free movement of ideas, free creation, and ultimately live freely. To reason rightly and choose our representatives rightly. There is no room for jokes with our institutions, with our democracy.
This is why we must remember and be responsible in our decisions, so that we never experience April 21 again.”
