ECHR awards Greek Cypriots damages due to Turkish
occupation.
CNA/NR/KCH/MM/Strasbourg, Jan 10 (CNA) ----
Turkey has been ordered to pay thousands of euro in
damages to Greek Cypriots for violating their human right to peaceful
enjoyment of their property in Cyprus' northern Turkish occupied areas.The
European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday delivered its judgment regarding
the allegation by 13 Greek Cypriot applicants (Lordos and Others v.
Turkey) that "the Turkish occupation of the northern part of Cyprus
following the 1974 conflict had deprived them of their homes and
properties".In its judgment today, the Court awarded each of the
applicants between EUR 100,000 and EUR 8,000,000 "for pecuniary and
non-pecuniary damages and EUR 15,000 jointly to all applicants for costs
and expenses".In its principal judgment, delivered on 2 November
2010, the Court held in particular that there had been a violation of
Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 (protection of property) as concerns eight of
the applicants and a violation of Article 8 (right to respect for private
and family life) with regard to seven of the applicants.Cyprus has been
divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern
third.Turkey occupied 36,2 percent of the sovereign territory of the
Republic and forcibly expelled about 180.000 Greek Cypriots from their
homes. Another 20.000 Greek Cypriots, who had remained in the occupied
areas, were also forced to eventually abandon their homes and seek refuge
in the safety of the government controlled areas. Today, fewer than 500
enclaved Greek Cypriots remain in the occupied areas.Turkey still deprives
the displaced Greek Cypriots of their right to return to their homes and
properties. This has given rise to appeals to the European Court of Human
Rights, which has issued major decisions on Turkey's violations of the
European Convention.2012
