Oğuz: ECHR Decision Is Neither a Victory Nor a Defeat… We Are Managing the Process Seriously

Oğuz said the timing of the ruling—just before a vote at the Council of Europe regarding the IPC—was noteworthy. While the decision initially caused concern in some circles, he noted that a detailed analysis showed it to be neither a victory nor a defeat. “The Greek Cypriot side is also not pleased with this ruling, as they have been trying to render the IPC ineffective. However, the court clearly reaffirmed that the IPC remains an effective domestic legal remedy,” he said.

“There Is a Warning, and We Will Act Accordingly”

He acknowledged that the ruling included certain warnings, particularly about the length of ongoing legal proceedings, and described this as “homework” to be addressed. “Cases pending since 2010 reflect a deficiency, but this does not mean the system has collapsed,” Oğuz stated.

“Number of Cases Has Risen Sharply”

The minister noted that when he assumed office, the IPC was reviewing around 20 files per month, a figure that has since risen to 70–80 per month. He credited this improvement to the coordinated efforts between the IPC and the Land Registry offices, thanking staff for their dedication.

“Fund Established, Payments Made”

Oğuz announced that the government had established a special fund from revenues generated through property sales to foreigners. These funds have been channelled to the IPC via the Central Bank. Since 25 April 2022, the IPC has paid a total of £87,470,000 in compensation, he said.

“8,000 Applications Filed, Proceedings Ongoing”

The Interior Minister said the IPC has received approximately 8,000 applications to date, and all compensation payments for cases concluded up until December 2021 have been completed. He added that cases filed before the establishment of the IPC remain in the court process.

“Strasbourg Engagement Was Crucial”

Oğuz also highlighted the recent visit of IPC Chair Növber Ferit Veçhi to Strasbourg, where she held meetings and shared updates on the IPC’s operations in the international arena.