President Ersin Tatar made statements regarding the Greek Cypriot administration’s initiatives targeting the Turkish Cypriot side on property issues.
The President stated that whenever steps are taken towards development, the Greek Cypriot leadership systematically targets the Turkish Cypriot People with attacks, describing these assaults as acts of terrorism.
Tatar also stressed that the struggle against the Greek Cypriot administration’s unlawful, oppressive, and intimidating policies would continue.
President Ersin Tatar addressed the Greek Cypriot Administration’s initiatives targeting the Turkish Cypriot side on property matters.
Stating that the Turkish Cypriot people had been waging a great struggle to secure their rightful place on the international stage, but whenever they take steps toward development, the Greek Cypriot leadership systematically targeted them with attacks, Tatar said, “These attacks, characterized by their disregard for international law, have clearly become acts of terrorism.”
Pointing out that the Greek Cypriot administration’s efforts to use property issues as a means to pressure the Turkish Cypriot People reflected a mindset reminiscent of the post-1963 period, he said, “By disregarding European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decisions and bringing the property issue back to the agenda through criminal cases and arrests, they aim to economically undermine and legally and politically weaken the Turkish Cypriot People, just as they did after 1963.”
Noting that the Immovable Property Commission, established in 2005, was a legitimate and effective mechanism where applications can be made to resolve property disputes in Cyprus, the President reminded that the European Court of Human Rights affirmed the effectiveness of the Immovable Property Commission as a domestic legal remedy with the Demopoulos decision.
“In this decision, the ECHR clearly stated that not only the original property owners from 1974 but also those who have acquired property rights over these assets over the years should have their rights protected” Tatar said and described this ruling as “an approach that considers justice and fairness in resolving property disputes.”
Tatar also noted that the approach of targeting those who defend the inherent rights and will of the Turkish Cypriot People ultimately served those who violate the property rights of the Turkish Cypriot People.
Stating that these organized attacks aimed at breaking the will of the Turkish Cypriot People were taking place before the eyes of the international community, he added, “Violating ECHR decisions, disregarding the remedies provided by the Immovable Property Commission regarding property disputes, and attempting to usurp our people’s rights are not only attacks against the Turkish Cypriot People but also violations of international law. The international community’s silence in the face of this process damages the principle of the rule of law and weakens the pursuit of justice.”
“I hereby declare openly: We will continue our struggle against the Greek Cypriot administration’s unlawful, oppressive, and intimidating policies. We will maintain our determined, courageous, and strategic stance against those who violate international law and attempt to seize our people’s rights. The will of the Turkish Cypriot People is not for sale. We will never allow our rights to be usurped. We will tirelessly defend our sovereignty, property rights, and economic interests on every platform” the President stressed.
“Just as we did not surrender during our struggle for existence on this land, we will act with the same determination when it comes to protecting our rights today. We will stand by our people and never allow the confiscation of our property rights. The Turkish Cypriot People is never alone in this rightful struggle, based on law and justice” President Tatar concluded.
