Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 96-12-18

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org,cy>

CONTENTS

[01] Turkey guilty of human rights violations, says Euro Court

[02] Immense effects of Euro Court decision on Cyprus

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[04] Historic decision for Cyprus

1030:CYPPRESS:01

[01] Turkey guilty of human rights violations, says Euro Court

The judgement of the Court issued in Strasbourg today read: ''in the case of Loizidou versus Turkey, the European Court, by 11 votes to six, held that there has been a continuing violation in relation to her immovable property situated in Kyrenia and which since 1974 has been under the control of the Turkish army.''

Titina Loizidou, a Greek Cypriot from the Turkish-occupied town of Kyrenia, brought her case against Turkey alleging violation of her right to peacefully enjoy her property, which lies in the area of the Republic of Cyprus under Turkish occupation since 1974.

Loizidou's lawyer, Achilleas Demetriades, told CNA today ''this is the first time Turkey is held accountable in the international scene for human rights violations in Cyprus' Turkish-occupied areas.''

Article 1 of Protocol 1 stipulates that ''every natural or legal person is entitled to the peaceful enjoyment of his possessions.''

CNA MM/GP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1510 :CYPPRESS:02

[02] Immense effects of Euro Court decision on Cyprus

Titina Loizidou, brought her case against Turkey alleging violation of her right to peacefully enjoy her property in the Turkish occupied northern part of the island.

Describing the decision as a ''great success'', President Clerides noted that Loizidou's case was justified even though it was over a holiday residence and she was not living permanently in the area.

''The effects of such a decision can be even greater, if we take into account the cases of permanent residents forced to abandon their homes,'' Clerides added.

The importance of the Court decision was also pointed out by Attorney General, Alecos Markides.

A press release, issued by the Court Wednesday said, the European Court ''held that the denial to the applicant of access to her property in the northern part of Cyprus and consequent loss of control thereof was imputable to Turkey and amounted to a violation of the applicant's property rights, under Article 1 of Protocol 1 to the European Convention of Human Rights.''

The Court also held ''unanimously that there had been no interference with the applicant's right to respect for her home under Article 8 of the Convention, and that the question of just satisfaction under Article 50 was not yet ready for decision and should be reserved.''

CNA MCH/AP/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1620:CYPPRESS:03

[03] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    81.08 (+0.17)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  90.25 (+0.27)
Approved Investment Companies          73.97 (+1.23)
Insurance Companies                    55.55 (+0.40)
Industrial Companies                   83.27 (+1.10)
Tourist Industries                     70.84 (-0.21)
Commercial Companies                   60.19 (-3.04)
Other Companies                        67.52 (-0.22)

Trading Volume                         CYP 600870.301

CNA MCH/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1810 :CYPPRESS:04

[04] Historic decision for Cyprus

Today's ruling marks an unprecedented move which offers the opportunity to hundreds of Greek Cypriot refugees to claim their right to use and enjoy their property, in the Turkish occupied part of the Republic.

The Court found Turkey responsible for continuing violation of human rights in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus and said in its ruling that it ''holds by eleven votes to six that the denial of access to the applicant's property and consequent loss of control thereof is imputable to Turkey.''

The Court's decision was warmly welcomed by lawyer Achilleas Demetriades who argued the case before the European Court on behalf of his client, Greek Cypriot refugee Titina Loizidou from Turkish occupied Kyrenia town.

Speaking at a press conference, the Attorney General said ''the ruling is a landmark in the history of law relating to human rights and the development of international law.''

This decision, he added, by such a legal body proves there is faith in the role of international law and the Convention of human rights.

Markides noted the importance of the decision in that it holds Turkey responsible for human rights violations since it controls the occupied part of the island and rejected Turkey's arguments that it bears no responsibility in this part of Cyprus.

''The violation of human rights by Turkey is continuing,'' Markides explained and referred to the text of the decision which says that the Turkish army ''exercises effective overall control in northern Cyprus'' through a large number of troops ''engaged in active duties there.''

The decision also states that the ''Republic of Cyprus remains sole legitimate government of Cyprus'' and the international community does not regard the puppet regime in occupied Cyprus as a state under international law.

Replying to press questions, Markides said ''my purpose is not to encourage or discourage other Cypriots but to explain the decision.''

He also explained that peace negotiations for a political settlement of the Cyprus question are not related to a case such as this one.

Achilleas Demetriades, lawyer of Greek Cypriot refugee Titina Loizidou who took Turkey to Court seven years ago, told the press conference the ruling acknowledges that the property in question ''was, is and will remain the property of my client.''

He explained that he has already asked for half a million Cyprus pounds in compensation (about one million US dollars) with regard to the denial of access to the property and has also asked to exercise freely the right to peacefully enjoy her property.

Should Turkey refuse to pay up damages, the applicant can ask for today's ruling to be implemented with regard to Turkey's property or funds allocated to the country by international organisations.

Polis Polyviou, lawyer with the government's legal department, described the decision as ''historic'' because it makes clear that Turkey is responsible for what happens in the occupied areas and points out that legal rights exist irrespective of military circumstances.

''Perhaps more importantly, the decision does not recognise any legal status to the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime in occupied Cyprus, which in turn would render any attempt to recognise this self-styled entity almost impossible,'' Polyviou said.

In a statement from Strasbourg, Loizidou said the decision was ''a victory for Cyprus and proves that Europe does recognise justice and cares that justice should be done.''

''It is a very important decision, not only for me but for all the Cypriot refugees who have not been able to go home and to their properties since 1974,'' the statement added.

CNA MM/MCH/1996

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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