Sign in Subscribe
Human rights

European Parliament Condemns Turkish Military Occupation of Cyprus

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The European Parliament has condemned the Turkish military occupation of Cyprus and the unlawful detention of five Greek Cypriot citizens, who were visiting their property in the village of Galatia. The parliamentarians have called for the immediate and unconditional release of the detainees, who have been suffering from severe health issues and lack of adequate medical treatment while in custody. The parliament also urged the Commission and the European External Action Service to take measures to secure the release of the detainees and condemned Turkey's continued occupation of the northern part of Cyprus as a serious breach of international law.

Key Takeaways:

  • The European Parliament has condemned the Turkish military occupation of Cyprus and the unlawful detention of five Greek Cypriot citizens.
  • The detainees, Antonis Louka, Andreas Kyprianou, Annie Kyprianou, Niki Gregoriou, and Gregoris Gregoriou, were visiting their property in the village of Galatia when they were detained by the Turkish military occupying regime.
  • The detention has been repeatedly extended by an unrecognised military 'court' in the occupied areas, despite the absence of credible evidence.
  • Reports indicate that the detainees have suffered weight loss, severe health issues, and lack of adequate medical treatment while in custody.
  • The European Parliament has called for the immediate and unconditional release of the detainees.
  • The parliament has also urged the Commission and the European External Action Service to take measures to secure the release of the detainees.
  • The Turkish military occupation of the northern part of Cyprus has been condemned as a serious breach of international law and an obstacle to peace, stability, and EU-Turkey relations.
  • The European Union has a moral and legal duty to support the Republic of Cyprus and its citizens, who are also EU citizens.

Statistics:

  • 51 years: The length of Turkey's continued illegal occupation of the northern part of Cyprus.
  • Five: The number of Greek Cypriot citizens unlawfully detained by the Turkish military occupying regime.
  • 19 July 2025: The date on which the five Greek Cypriot citizens were unlawfully detained.
  • 10 September 2025: The date on which three of the detainees were released on bail, but remain in the occupied areas.

Sources:

  • European Parliament
  • European Court of Human Rights judgment of 18 December 1996 in the case of Loizidou v Turkey (15318/89)
  • Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament
  • Reuters (http://www.reuters.com/)
  • ANI (http://www.anihq.org/)
  • Nicosia, CTDNEWSAZ (http://netaz.net/cyprus/')
  • Peace Watch Turkey (http://www.pwturkey.org/)
  • Turkish Daily News (http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/)

Read more