The Rights Protection Initiative (DPI) has announced that the unjust demands of the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus were rejected at the Human Rights meeting of the Committee of Delegates of the Council of Europe on 19 September 2024. The Greek Cypriot Administration's attempt to bring the issue of "Property Rights of Displaced Persons" back to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in the context of the Cyprus v. Turkey case has failed.

The Rights Protection Initiative, established through the efforts of several civil society organizations including the Platform of Economic Organizations and the Union of Bar Associations, made significant diplomatic contacts in Strasbourg, London, and Brussels throughout August and September. These efforts contributed to the outcome of the meeting.

The Greek Cypriot Administration had requested that some aspects of the ECHR's previous decision on Cyprus v. Turkey be reinterpreted, and that the Immovable Property Commission (IMC) be rendered ineffective. However, their initiative failed to gain enough support within the Committee of Delegates, reaffirming the validity of the IMC mechanism. This result solidifies the legal standing of the IMC under international law and supports a fair resolution to property issues in Cyprus.

The Rights Protection Initiative expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the process and vowed to continue its efforts to protect the rights of Turkish Cypriots and defend against economic and legal challenges.

Source: KTIMB