Courts act over cyprus 'homes scandal'

Cypriots who were thrown out of their homes by Turkey may soon see justice served…

The European Court of Human Rights has written to the lawyers of 30 Greek Cypriots asking for further details in class action suits filed against Turkey over the illegal occupation and use of properties in the north.

According to the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation last night, who cited “reliable sources”, the Court has asked for the extra details without making mention of the north’s controversial property commission. The move means that the cases are progressing without the commission’s involvement.

The Commission was set up in March 2005, after the ECHR handed the baton to Turkey to find a way of offering redress to Greek Cypriot Myra Xenides-Arestis, who lost her property in Varosha during the 1974 Turkish invasion.

Turkey accepted the challenge and has in turn given the Turkish Cypriot authorities – as its ‘subordinate local authority’ – the task of delivering justice on Greek Cypriot property claims.

If accepted as legitimate by the ECHR, the body could be handling Greek Cypriot applications for the reinstatement of properties in the north. As such, the fate of some 1,400 similar Greek Cypriot claims hangs in the balance. The ECHR’s request was interpreted as encouraging by its omission.