Mete Hatay on Varosha: “Barbed Wire Doesn’t Change History, Signs Don’t Change the Law”

In a post shared on social media, Hatay stated that the ECtHR ruling once again confirmed that, in the eyes of the law, ownership of the property in question still belongs to its original owner.

“No matter how much barbed wire you put up — the sharpest kind, left to rust — no matter how many tourists you parade through the area, the ownership doesn’t change,” he wrote. Referring to the ECtHR decision, he added, “You can fence off an area and turn it into a ghost town, then open it up and say, ‘Look, it’s like a museum now,’ but the building still belongs to the same person.”

Highlighting that property rights remain valid under international law, Hatay warned that interest continues to accrue on seized assets. “Today, you’ve only paid court and lawyer fees. Tomorrow, they’ll slap you with a bill for loss of use,” he cautioned.

He noted that the Republic of Cyprus recognized ECtHR rulings in 1990, and that compensation calculations would be retroactive from that year. “Calculate the income loss of a 35-year-old apart-hotel. And remember — the property is still listed under the original owner’s title deed,” he said, stressing the enormous potential financial burden due to the sheer number of property claims in Varosha.

Hatay also criticized the property claims made through the Evkaf Administration, stating, “Barbed wire doesn’t change history, and signs don’t change the law. The Varosha issue isn’t going to be resolved with these so-called ‘dark tourism’ spectacles — and certainly not with Evkaf fantasies.”

He concluded his remarks with a blunt call to action: “Return them immediately!”