The European Parliament’s Petitions Committee, in its latest session, deliberated on the citizenship rights of children born of marriages between Turkish Cypriots and Turkish settlers.
The core of the petition revolves around securing the right to Cypriot citizenship for these children, thereby granting them the full spectrum of rights associated with European citizenry.
In an address, Cypriot MEP Demetris Papadakis said that “the issue is mainly political, but also humanitarian, as every person is entitled to citizenship.”
The case of Cyprus is particularly complicated, he noted, due to the occupation of the island. This prolonged situation has led to an acute deprivation of rights for both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, he said.
“Just as refugees cannot return to their homes, they do not enjoy free movement and settlement in the occupied areas, just as progressive Turkish Cypriots are persecuted by the Ankara regime because they oppose with their voice, as progressive Turkish Cypriot journalists are imprisoned,” he remarked.
The MEP added that the President of the Republic of Cyprus has initiated the formulation of measures aimed at addressing the issue of citizenship. He acknowledged the criminality of occupation but also noted the humanitarian facet around the issue.
“Our Turkish Cypriot compatriots can enjoy all the rights that Greek Cypriots enjoy. And the overwhelming majority of them do enjoy these rights. A lasting resolution to these issues will come when the occupation of Cyprus stops, the Cyprus problem is solved and we start living in a unified country,” he stressed.
Following the discussion, the Committee resolved to keep the petition active. Additionally, it plans to reach out to the Cypriot government with a formal request to clarify the intended measures for addressing the issue.
