LEFKOSA - President Rauf Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has said, ''Turkish Cypriots should not hesitate to apply to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) for their properties in the Greek Cypriot side.''
President Denktas received on Monday a group of Turkish Cypriots living in Britain.
Speaking at the meeting, the Turkish Cypriots said, ''we were living in Yagmuralan village till the Peace Operation on July 20, 1974. Our village was included in the borders of the Greek Cypriot side following the operation. When we visited our village later, we saw that our village was ruined, our houses were demolished and all trees in the village were uprooted. We will apply to the ECHR to seek for our rights. We have organized to this end. We expect the Greek Cypriot administration to apologize and pay a compensation for our losses.''
Meanwhile, President Denktas told them, ''you have taken a correct step to prove rightfulness of Turkish Cypriot people. You should not hesitate to apply to the ECHR for your properties in the Greek Cypriot side.''
Pointing out that it was the Greek Cypriot side which started the war in Cyprus, President Denktas noted, ''Turkey and TRNC pay compensation to Greek Cypriot people for their properties in northern part of the island. In return, the Greek Cypriot side should pay compensation to Turkish Cypriot people for their properties in southern part of Cyprus. Turkish Cypriots' filing such lawsuits at the ECHR will constitute a good beginning.''
(UK) 12.01.2004