Citizenship Rights in Cyprus: Addressing Human Rights Concerns in Mixed Marriages

The panel held at the KTAMS Hall was attended by politicians, journalists, union representatives, and numerous families affected by the denial of Cypriot citizenship and European Union membership rights, particularly those in mixed marriages.

Speaking at the panel, prominent Cypriot lawyer Achilleas Demetriades emphasized that Cypriot citizenship is a constitutional right for every child born to a Cypriot parent.

Demetriades explained that this right was being denied not by court decision but by a political decision-making body, urging Cypriot Turks who are denied citizenship to persist in their demands. He also advised patience in legal proceedings, urging applicants to request documentation from everyone involved after citizenship applications, to appeal within 75 days if rejected, and preferably to apply for citizenship with a registered lawyer in the Republic of Cyprus.

"This is our tragedy," remarked Demetriades.

Cypriot Greek legal expert Prof. Dr. Nikos Trimikliniotis stated that "a fundamental human right is being denied."

Trimikliniotis stressed, "The Republic of Cyprus is obligated to recognize, protect, and implement the right to citizenship."

Representing the Association of Stateless Persons, lawyer Can Azer remarked, "As long as these children are pushed aside, they serve not peace but separation," explaining that this was a political decision. Azer thanked the efforts and support of European Parliament Member Niyazi Kızılyürek and highlighted the significance of the June 9 elections in this regard.

Providing information about the association's work, Can Azer stated that they had been invited to the Cyprus Presidential Palace, demanding the implementation of the law, emphasizing that the openness initiative was merely an image and they had not yet received a response to their requests for travel until the issue is resolved.

European Union legal expert Dr. Latif Aran explained that citizenship grievances could be brought before the "European Court of Justice."

European Parliament Member Prof. Dr. Niyazi Kızılyürek stated that denying citizenship to Cypriots born from mixed marriages violated both the Cyprus Constitution and the basic principles of the European Union. He reiterated their commitment to keeping this issue on the agenda and fighting for it, emphasizing that they viewed the matter as a violation of human rights.