A STRUGGLE AGAINST COLONIAL OPPRESSION
AN UNCORMFORTABLE REALITY
The village of Polemi, in the Paphos district, has a recent history that includes a little-known, yet uncomfortable reality. Situated on the foothills of the Troodos Mountains, this otherwise unassuming village is the location of what remains of the ‘Polemi Concentration Camp’.
A POIGNANT REMINDER OF THE PAST
Acting as a poignant reminder of a turbulent past, this particular camp’s legacy encapsulates the complexities of the island’s socio-political landscape during the mid-20th century. Forming an integral, yet tragic chapter in the island’s recent history, the remnants of this camp today adequately reflect the tumultuous interplay between colonialism and nationalism that existed on the island at the time. In many ways, the site also represents a Cypriot struggle for self-determination and human rights.
A HISTORIC LEGACY
The origins of the use of concentration camps in Cyprus stem all the way back to after the end of World War II. Concentration camps were first used by British authorities in Cyprus to detain JEWISH REFUGEES heading towards British-administered Palestine. The Polemi Concentration Camp’s origins can be traced back to the mid 1950’s. This was when Greek Cypriots became increasingly vocal for their demands for ‘Enosis’. The movement, which advocated for a union with Greece, however, went firmly against British and Turkish interests at the time.
THE VILLAGE OF POLEMI
A LIST OF DETAINESS
SEVERAL ARRESTS
Although Greek Cypriot Nationalist activities increased across the island, the agenda for Enosis was continually rebuffed. By the late 1940’s, this escalation led to the arrest and then the detainment of several activists. The Polemi Concentration Camp, as a result, was used in the latter part of the 1950’s to detain several of these Greek Cypriot political activists.
A STRATEGIC REMOTE LOCATION
The Polemi Concentration Camp was specifically chosen because of its strategic and remote location. The main intention was to isolate its detainees from the broader population on the island. Ironically, however, this helped to turn the camp into a symbol of oppression. Greek Cypriot Nationalists often used this to emphasise the importance of freedom and justice for all. This particular camp would go on to become emblematic of the broader struggle against colonial oppression.
THE GREEK CYPRIOT NATIONALIST ORGANISATION EOKA
A main advocate for the policy of Enosis was the Greek Cypriot Nationalist Organisation, which became known as EOKA. In 1955, after repeated talks broke down, EOKA began a clandestine military campaign against British colonial rule. The British response was swift, and as the conflict progressed, they introduced a whole string of repressive measures. These included the extended use of several concentration camps.
A USEFUL TOOL TO SUPPRESS GROWING NATIONALISTIC FERVOUR
As the widespread use of concentration camps took hold across the island, Cypriots began to question Britain’s role on the island. The British used concentration camps as a particularly useful tool to suppress the growing nationalistic fervour amongst Greek Cypriots. The Polemi Concentration Camp was one of several established by the British in various locations across the island. At its height, it was used to detain up to 400 or so Cypriot EOKA sympathisers at any one time. These included known peaceful activists, as well as suspected active members of EOKA.
A MEETING BETWEEN ALL REPRESENTATIVES
THE ZURICH-LONDON AGREEMENT
A GALVANISED RESPONSE
The detainees of the Polemi Concentration Camp, because of their often harsh treatment, would eventually prove instrumental in swaying greater public opinion against British colonial rule. It is often thought that nationalist movements in Cyprus gained momentum because of this. This seemed to help galvanise further support for the cause of self-determination. The detainees, despite their suffering, would often emerge as symbols of the resistance. This inspired further activism and mobilisation within the Greek Cypriot community.
THE ZURICH-LONDON AGREEMENT
In 1960, the ‘Zurich-London Agreement’ facilitated the island’s independence from British rule. This shift in the political landscape would eventually lead to the dissolution of all concentration camps across the island. The legacy of these camps, however, continues to resonate within the collective memory of several Cypriots who were detained by them. The widespread use of concentration camps, including the one at the village of Polemi, has been widely recognised and criticised by human rights advocates and most historians ever since.
AN ATTEMPT TO CONTROL DISSENT
This camp directly reflected the British Government’s attempts to control dissent and maintain order in a colonial context. There is testimony that several detainees were badly mistreated. As a result, documented accounts of harsh treatment by the British have been recorded. In addition to this, most accounts also state that constant overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, and inhumane treatment were a direct violation of human rights at the time.
A SINGLE HUT THAT REPRESENTS HISTORY
THE POLEMI CONCENTRATION CAMP TODAY
THE POOR TREATMENT OF DETAINEES
Reports from former detainees also highlight the psychological and physical toll inflicted upon them. Most were subjected to arbitrary detention without a fair trial. This resulted in a growing sense of alienation among the Greek Cypriot populace at the time. This harsh treatment, however, instead of suppressing, ultimately helped to further fuel the desire for self-determination.
A CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION
The lengths to which the British Government was willing to go to suppress dissent are often thought of as extreme. Along with other factors, this is further emphasised by camps of this nature. In 2017, a group of EOKA fighters took the British Government to court. They made a claim for compensation for historic atrocities and torture, which they claimed took place at concentration camps across Cyprus. A pre-trial settlement to the tune of just over £1 million was reached on condition that the British Government did not accept any liability for the numerous claims. Although no liability is accepted, the remains of the camp today still serve as a cautionary tale about the consequences of political repression and human rights violations.
A BRITISH LEGACY
Although the camp and all that went on there are largely forgotten, in many ways, it still occupies a pivotal space in the historical narrative of Cyprus. All that remains today of the original camp is a watchtower, some abandoned vehicles, and a solitary tin hut. This is all still surrounded by a main gate and barbed wire fencing. As a result, the legacy of British concentration camps in Cyprus serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of civil liberties under colonial rule.
CONFRONTING THE PAST
As the island grapples with lingering divisions and the legacy of its colonial past, understanding the implications of institutions like the Polemi Concentration Camp is, in some ways, crucial for building a more inclusive and just society. The lessons drawn from this chapter in Cypriot history also serve as an enduring reminder of the importance of safeguarding individual liberties and promoting social justice in contemporary society. As a divided Cyprus moves forward, some claim that there is a need to confront the island’s past, in order to pave the way for a more harmonious future.
