Özersay: Property Rights Violations on Both Sides Should Be Addressed by a Joint Committee

Speaking at a property-focused conference held in Nicosia, Özersay stressed that violations of property rights are prevalent in both northern and southern Cyprus and that discussions should begin within a joint framework without waiting for a comprehensive settlement.

Recalling that in areas such as missing persons and cultural heritage, concrete steps have been taken without waiting for a comprehensive solution, Özersay said, “We must do the same with the property issue and take steps without delay.”

During the conference held at Near East University, which began with an opening speech by HP Nicosia District Chair Mustafa Kendir, participants also had the opportunity to ask questions. Kendir noted that the property issue affects all segments of society, either directly or indirectly, and that HP had taken the initiative to launch a series of such meetings.

Taking the floor after Kendir, Özersay underlined that the property issue is closely tied to territorial matters, bi-zonality, and other forms of dispossession, but despite these complexities, practical solutions must be found to address individual rights violations.

He noted that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) had long emphasized the need to act on human rights violations without waiting for a comprehensive settlement. This, he said, had led to the establishment of the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) in the north and to more effective investigations into missing persons on both sides, following pressure from the court.

While an IPC was established in the north to address Greek Cypriot property claims, Özersay emphasized that no such effective domestic remedy exists in the south for Turkish Cypriot property. He added that although the 1985 Constitution in the Republic of Cyprus included provisions for compensation for Greek Cypriots who owned property based on 1974 title deeds, no law was enacted for 30 years to implement this. It was only after ECHR rulings in 2005 that the IPC was created in the north, providing options including compensation.

Özersay concluded by calling for the creation of an effective and reciprocal mechanism to address ongoing violations and offer remedies that benefit both communities.