Parliament Speaker Annita Demetriou has sent formal letters to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly President Theodoros Roussopoulos regarding the arrest and continued detention of five Greek Cypriots in the occupied areas.
Government pursuing diplomatic channels
According to a parliamentary announcement, Demetriou notes the Cyprus government’s ongoing representations at UN and European Union levels and appeals for both Metsola and Roussopoulos to use their influence to secure the five Greek Cypriots’ release as soon as possible and ensure Turkey’s compliance with international obligations, particularly regarding human rights.
Detention described as premeditated retaliation
The parliament speaker emphasises that the abduction and illegal detention of the five Greek Cypriots since 19th July constitutes “a premeditated political act of reprisals” for the Republic of Cyprus’s entirely lawful prosecution of foreign nationals appropriating Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas.
Demetriou notes this illegal action by the regime in the north “constitutes flagrant violation of international law and fundamental human rights and freedoms of displaced Greek Cypriots” who wished to visit properties under Turkish military occupation since 1974.
Tactics aimed at intimidating property owners
“These tactics clearly aim to terrorise and prevent Greek Cypriots from visiting their properties and seeking restoration of their rights,” the parliament speaker states.
“Given that the property issue constitutes a fundamental component of a comprehensive Cyprus problem solution under international and European law and relevant UN resolutions, such actions occurring whilst efforts continue for negotiation resumption seriously undermine prospects in that direction,” she adds.
Actions contradict confidence-building appeals
These tactics certainly do not lead to creating a climate of trust, as called for by the UN Secretary-General, but instead align fully with Ankara’s demand for a “two-state” solution and Turkey’s ultimate objective of de jure Cyprus partition, Demetriou adds.
The letters represent Cyprus’s latest diplomatic effort to highlight what it describes as systematic violations of displaced persons’ rights and attempts to consolidate the division of the island through intimidation tactics against Greek Cypriot property owners.
The case involves five Greek Cypriots who were detained whilst attempting to visit properties in the occupied north, an action the Republic of Cyprus maintains is their fundamental right under international law.
