Greek Cypriots Allowed to File Lawsuits …

In a statement issued before a lecture titled "Our Cyprus Issue," sponsored by the Antalya branch of the Turkish Hearth, TRNC President Rauf Denktas noted that the Greek Cypriots had been unable to cross the border into the north in the past and therefore could not file lawsuits in TRNC courts. As a result of this, they sued Turkey by going directly to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

Indicating that he had paid attention to the Greek Cypriots filing suits in the ECHR, Denktas said: "Now that there is free passage, they can come to our courts as well. Greek Cypriots formerly lived in our lands. In any case, they are going; therefore, it is necessary to make this easier. If they apply to the ECHR, we take the initiative to make their going there easy. We will modify our laws. In this way, we think that the process will be fairer." When asked by a journalist about the types of issues for which lawsuits could be filed, he answered: "Primarily for property claims. We gave property deeds to our immigrants coming from the south, to our own immigrants. Our deeds are valid only in the north."

aa / Antalya / TURKEY