Greek Cypriot Government files objection to European Court

Southern Cyprus has lodged an objection to a decision by the European Court of Human Rights to accept the appointment of two Turkish Cypriot judges, who are serving in the “illegal Turkish Cypriot regime, in northern Turkish occupied part of the country.”

“We have filed an objection regarding this decision by the Third Section of the Chamber,” Government Spokesman Vassilis Palmas told CNA on Tuesday, invited to give an initial reaction to the decision.

Palmas, who indicated that there may be more comments on the part of the government on this issue, also said that Greek Cypriot Government respects judgments of the Court. The Third Section of the Chamber of the Court, comprising seven judges, took the decision on Thursday of last week and this was communicated to interested parties this Tuesday.

“The Third Section of the Chamber rejected an objection by the Cyprus government concerning the participation of Mr M. Hakki and Mrs G. Eronen as the ad hoc judges designated by Turkey,” the decision noted.

The two Turkish Cypriots were put forward by Ankara, whose appointed judge to the Court had retired, as its representative judges to the European Court.

Hakki has been appointed to hear 38 cases against Turkey relating to property of Greek Cypriots in Turkish occupied Cyprus and Eronen is set to hear 9 cases concerning the issue of missing persons in Cyprus.