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The Government is giving a continuation of its decisions, reactions in the occupied areas on passports. They’re preparing notes ahead of Lute and New York.
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Decisions that stroke the ears of some do not bring a cost to Turkey
Lawyers are also doubting the foundation of the decision to revoke passports.
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Passports move branded ‘racist’
Interior minsters says ‘officials’ can take matter up in Cyprus courts.
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The revocation of passports from TCs is both legal and of a high symbolism
Government’s response to the intense reactions by Tatar and others: It is supported by case-law of the Supreme Court. Nouris: If affected TCs want to, they can appeal to the courts of the Republic of Cyprus. TCs using documents of the Republic of Cyprus as equal European citizens at 97,000. The procedure for the fifth national appeal will take many years.
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Main News
TC ‘officials’ can seek recourse at RoC courts, Nouris says
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Interior Minister Nicos Nouris said Tuesday that the TC ‘officials’ who have had their passports rescinded can seek recourse in the courts of the Republic if they so choose, the dailies report.
The Cabinet on Monday decided to rescind the passports of 14 TCs, which include members of the current leadership including leader Ersin Tatar and members of a committee on Varosha, seen as undermining the Republic of Cyprus (RoC).
Nouris said those affected will be informed in writing of the Cabinet’s decision to rescind their passports, adding that they can seek justice through the legal system – as is their right afforded to them under the Constitution.
Government spokesperson Marios Pelekanos, speaking to CyBC on Tuesday, said that the decision was targeted at specific individuals for specific reasons and in no way impacted the wider TC community, of which 97,000 are document holders of the Republic. Pelekanos added that this was a move targeted against individuals who are battling the Republic and whose actions are closing the road towards a solution.
Alithia and Phileleftheros report that a government source said the move was both legal and of a high symbolism. The paper writes that the source also said that the decision was based on case-law of the Supreme Court, according to which passports are travel documents that remain the property of the state and can be rescinded at any time if good reason arises.
Politis reports that both of the government’s decisions, the rescinding of passports and the appeal against Turkey at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), seems to be leading to headaches. The paper, citing prominent lawyers, reports that there is a danger that the RoC could be slapped by a civil court with the need to pay compensation, while it could also find itself in long-term court procedures with an unpredictable result.
The dailies also report on statements issued to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) by the chairman of the Bar Association Christos Clerides, who said that the result of the ECHR appeal cannot be predicted as such cases are politicised. Clerides said it was the first time an appeal was filed focusing solely on Varosha. Cyprus has filed four other appeals against Turkey over the years.
He said a successful appeal would add to the diplomatic arsenal and put pressure on Turkey but warned that the result could not be predicted. Clerides said there was no obstacle to stop the Republic from appealing though such cases took years. “Unfortunately, such cases involve an element of politicisation, even at court level, so the result is unpredictable,” he said.
Regarding Cyprus’ recourse to the ECHR, Pelekanos said the goal is to see a decision against Turkey and its illegal actions in Varosha. He said the procedure will take many years, but was deemed necessary by the state’s legal advisors.
Meanwhile, Phileleftheros reports citing a government source that the two decisions are part of a larger packet of measures being promoted by the government on the legal and political level. The source said the government’s aim is to lift the impasse on the Cyprus problem and bring Turkey to the negotiating table to secure a Cyprus solution.
KEY ACTORS
Pelekanos
>> Decision to rescind passports was targeted at specific individuals who are battling the Republic and whose actions are closing the road towards a solution and in no way impacts the wider TC community
Passports decision continues to stir reaction from both sides
Alithia, Cyprus Mail, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
Reactions to the government’s decision to rescind the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) passports of 14 TCs continued to stir reaction on both sides of the island on Tuesday, the dailies report.
Ruling DISY said on Tuesday it agreed with the government’s decision, saying it was both symbolic and substantive. In a written statement, DISY said RoC must not only seek to defend its rights at an international level but also against any illegal action and violation of international law by the TC leadership and Turkey. Therefore, the government’s decision, according to DISY, sent the message that the only acceptable path is the implementation of international law and whatever it dictates.
The party had remained silent about the decision on Monday though its spokesman, Demetris Demetriou, publicly voiced opposition before the announcement, Cyprus Mail reports. Speaking on state television, Demetriou said decisions should be judged whether they have a positive or negative impact. He said the matter was primarily political and from the moment the objective was to resolve the Cyprus problem, TC insecurity should be reduced. “Such an action would have the exact opposite result,” he said, adding that it would only provide the Turkish side with the argument that GC do not want progress.
Politis reports citing information that DISY’s delayed reponse to the government’s move came after a meeting on Tuesday morning between the party’s President and Deputy President, Averof Neophytou and Harris Georgiades respectively, who decided to issue an announcement in support of the government so that it does not remain exposed to fire from the opposition and so as to not allow others to take advantage of any disagreements DISY may have with the government to serve their own ends. Politis, citing a high-level member of DISY, reports that the party’s actual position is that expressed by its spokesman.
Politis and Haravgi report that AKEL too finds the move unsubstantial and ineffective, with the party’s leader Stefanos Stefanou stressing that it does not serve the aim of resuming negotiations, which are the only means through which Turkey’s partitionist goals can be blocked.
Politis reports that the Greens expressed support for the government’s decision to rescind passports, noting that it expects to be briefed on the legal basis of the move and on any further actions the government’s is planning on taking. The paper writes that the party also suggested the creation of a special sub-committee within the National Council which would monitor measures taken in reaction to Turkish actions in Varosha, including the state’s appeal before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
Tatar on Tuesday condemned the decision to rescind the passports, including his own, saying it was anachronistic and racist. In a written statement, Tatar said Monday’s decision by the Anastasiades cabinet has no legal basis and goes against human rights. Making such a distinction between people cannot be accepted, he added.
Tatar added that he is not particularly affected by the decision as he has not used his Cypriot passport for years. “Nevertheless, this is an issue that concerns our people and our community,” who face various injustices when it comes to travel.
The passport is a right arising from the fact that the Republic of Cyprus is a common democracy of “two peoples,” he said, asking the government to “respect this right”.
A second statement by the TC ‘presidency’ later on in the day said that the mentality behind the government’s move is at the root of the Cyprus problem, and the reason why a federal partnership based on equality is neither possible nor sustainable. It also called the decision “another threat against the rights and liberties of Turkish Cypriots”.
Former TC leader Mehmet Ali Talat, who had pushed for reunification during his term, including showing support for the Annan Plan, was critical of these reactions. “You brag about wanting a separate state, but have been using a Cypriot passport,” he said, according to PIO. “Once they take it out of your hands you start calling them racist, their behaviour contrary to human rights, and are unable to accept the consequences of pushing for secession. Shame!”
KEY ACTORS
DISY
>> Agrees with the government’s decision, which was both symbolic and substantive
>> RoC must not only seek to defend its rights at an international level but also against any illegal action and violation of international law by the TC leadership and Turkey
>> Government sent the message that the only acceptable path is the implementation of international law and whatever it dictates
Demetriou (DISY)
>> Opposed to the government’s decision, since if the objective is to resolve Cyprob, TC insecurity should be reduced, but such a move would have the opposite effect
>> Decision only provides the Turkish side with the argument that GC do not want progress
Stefanou (AKEL)
>> Move is unsubstantial and ineffective
>> It does not serve the aim of resuming negotiations, which are the only means through which Turkey’s partitionist goals can be blocked
Greens
>> Supports government decision
>> Suggested the creation of a special sub-committee within the National Council which would monitor measures taken in reaction to Turkish actions in Varosha, including the state’s appeal before the ECHR
Tatar
>> Decision is anachronistic, racist, has no legal basis and goes against human rights
>> Not particularly affected by the decision as he has not used his Cypriot passport for years, but decision affects wider TC community who face various injustices when it comes to travel
>> The passport is a right arising from the fact that the RoC is a common democracy of two peoples & the government must respect this right
>> The mentality behind the government’s move is at the root of the Cyprus problem, and the reason why a federal partnership based on equality is neither possible nor sustainable
>> Decision another threat against the rights and liberties of TCs
Talat
>> TC leadership that brags about wanting a separate state and pushes for cessation while using a Cypriot passport should not be complaining