Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-03-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] ECHR - DECISION

[02] ECONOMY MEASURES

[01] ECHR - DECISION

According to the decision of the Courts Grand Chamber, issued Friday, Greek Cypriots must first exhaust domestic remedies before resorting to the ECHR in cases regarding violation of their human rights by Turkey, which, since 1974, occupies 37% of Cyprus territory. The decision on the application Demopoulos vs Turkey and 7 others is final and not subject to any appeal to either the Court or any other body.

Referring to the Courts decision, one of the applicants lawyers, Achilleas Demetriades, said that the decision clarifies that the immovable property commission constitutes a domestic remedy of the government of Turkey and not of the so called state, which was set up in the occupied areas and is recognized only by Turkey. The decision, he continued, says that Turkey continues to be responsible for the violation of human rights in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus.

This decision does not at all change the position in the international law that in the Turkish occupied areas there is Turkish occupation and that the so called illegal Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus continues to be a local administration, subject to Turkey, he pointed out. He explained that Greek Cypriots, who will choose to resort to the immovable property commission will apply, see how the procedure progresses, see if the remedy is satisfactory, and if it is not, they will be able to resort to the high administrative court in the occupied areas and if they are not satisfied they may then resort to the ECHR.

The immovable property commission, he went on to say, accepts the title deeds of the Republic of Cyprus, since Turkey accepts that Greek Cypriots are the legal owners of their land in the Turkish occupied areas. He said that based on the Courts decision, Greek Cypriots will first have to resort to the Turkish immovable property commission in the occupied areas of Cyprus, before resorting to the ECHR.

[02] ECONOMY MEASURES

Replying to a question, President Christofias said that economy has been deteriorating due to the international financial crisis and that we do not feel comfortable about it.

Christofias said that the package of measures for the economy will be announced after consultations with the parties and the social partners.

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