TRNC Parliament Rejects Bill to Increase Penalties for Cockfighting

The General Assembly of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has rejected a proposed bill aimed at increasing penalties for cockfighting. Independent MP Hasan Tosunoglu argued that cockfighting is an inseparable part of Cypriot cultural traditions.

The bill proposed a prison sentence of up to six years for individuals involved in animal fights. However, during the parliamentary session, it was sent back to the legal committee for further revisions.

Yasemi Öztürk, Chairperson of the ruling coalition party UBP and a representative of the legal committee, stated after the debate that the committee would reconvene on Thursday to discuss the matter further.

• “My personal view is that the bill should be passed in its current form. A new proposal has been submitted, and we will evaluate it, but I’m telling you openly that my vote will absolutely not change,” Öztürk declared firmly.