Turkish Cypriots Would Take Indemnity Cases to ECHR

Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC) Ankara Embassy Legal Advisor Rabia Balkanli, an attorney, stated yesterday that a new draft prepared by the TRNC government would allow Turks who were forced to leave their properties in southern Cyprus after 1963 to seek restitution by filing lawsuits in Greek courts. Balkanli predicted the filing of both individual and collective suits following the passage of the law.

Balkanli explained that after the TRNC’s letting free passages in May, Greek Cypriots who had previously lived in the Turkish part of the island would be allowed to file lawsuits in TRNC courts involving property claims. Balkanli said: "Up until now, the ECHR was accepting applications because of the closed borders, which blocked domestic legal processes. But now, free passage is allowed and Cypriot Greeks are permitted to file lawsuits in the TRNC. Besides, the EU and England recognize the decisions reached by the TRNC courts. There are court decisions regarding the matter."

Murat Aydin / Ankara / TURKEY