UK Statement on IPC: Valid Mechanism for Cyprus Property Disputes

In a written response to the House of Lords, the UK government emphasized that the IPC is a legitimate and functioning domestic legal avenue, consistent with European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rulings.

The parliamentary question was raised by Lord Rogan, Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords and leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), who asked about the recognition of the IPC by the ECHR.

Responding on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government, Baroness Chapman confirmed that the IPC has been repeatedly recognized by the ECHR as an effective domestic remedy. She noted that the June 2025 decision reaffirmed the IPC’s continued validity, while acknowledging some procedural delays. The government stressed that it is closely monitoring the ongoing effectiveness of the Commission.

The statement counters claims from the Greek Cypriot administration that property issues remain “unsolvable,” highlighting that the IPC is a functional mechanism recognized at the international level. Experts note that the Commission has been operating effectively for nearly twenty years, with both the ECHR and the UK confirming its legitimacy.

By reaffirming the IPC’s legal authority and its central role in resolving property disputes in Cyprus, the UK government underscores that the Commission provides a solution based on international law, even in the face of political pressures.