Cyprus Hauls Turkey to European Rights Court

Published September 18th, 2000 - 02:00 GMT
Al Bawaba
Al Bawaba

Torture and forced displacement of thousands of people are among the complaints the European Court of Human Rights will examine Wednesday in a case that pits Cyprus against Turkey. 

Cyprus is accusing Ankara of a long series of violations of the European Convention on Human Rights, including the torture and disappearance of almost 1,500 people, and forced displacement of more than 210,000 people. 

This is the fourth complaint filed against Turkey since its 1974 occupation of the northern part of the island, and it focuses on the living conditions of Greek Cypriots who remain there. 

The complaint also alleges that thousands of people had their belongings confiscated. 

It also alleges that Greek Cypriots in the north are denied emergency medical treatment, as well as the right to cross the border to vote in Greek Cypriot parliamentary elections.  

A Turkish ban on Greek-language media in northern Cyprus is also included in the complaint. 

There had been numerous violations of the convention, the European Human Rights Commission concluded in a preliminary report in June of last year. 

Its findings are not binding upon the court, which usually rules within three months after a hearing. 

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey occupied its northern third in response to an Athens-engineered coup in Nicosia aiming to unite Cyprus and Greece -- STRASBOURG (AFP) 

 

 

© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

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