"Loizidou rights resolution 'an important step'"

THE GOVERNMENT said yesterday it is satisfied with the resolution adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has adopted, urging Turkey to comply with a judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the Titina Loizidou case, concerning the violation of human rights of Greek Cypriots.

"This decision is one more important step in the direction of the execution of the court's judgment, and it has an obvious significance regarding efforts to settle the Cyprus problem and shift Turkish intransigent positions," Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said.

The resolution, which was adopted on Wednesday by an overwhelming majority, strongly urges Turkey to review its position and to pay the compensation awarded in the case, so as to ensure that Turkey meets its obligations under the convention. The European Court of Human Rights ordered Turkey last year to pay around £500,000 to Loizidou as compensation for depriving her of her right to enjoy her property in Kyrenia, which has been occupied by Turkey since its invasion in 1974.

Turkey has so far refused to pay Loizidou, despite several deadlines and extensions, claiming it is not liable for the occupation of the north of Cyprus.

The European court also ruled that Loizidou should be allowed access to her property in the Kyrenia district, and added that it holds Turkey accountable for what happens in the areas of the Republic it has occupied since 1974.

Loizidou's lawyer, Achilleas Demetriades, told the Cyprus Mail that "the Council of Ministers, carrying out its duties under the convention, has rightly called upon Turkey to review its position to date and to pay the award made against it, thus ensuring that the obligations that Turkey undertook by being a member of the Council of Europe are observed".

"If Turkey does not comply, the credibility of the court -- as well as the whole system of protection of human rights -- is at stake," Demetriades added.

The resolution came at a time when Turkey is trying to gain candidate status in its effort to join the European Union which insists that its member states respect human rights."