On Detention of EU citizens in the occupied areas of Cyprus

B100371/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on Detention of EU citizens in the occupied areas of Cyprus

(2025/2860(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the ongoing occupation of Cyprus by Türkiye and the UN parameters for the solution of the Cyprus problem, the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council on Cyprus, including Resolution 186 (1964) which reaffirms the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, Resolution 550 (1984) on secessionist actions in Cyprus, Resolution 789 (1992) and Resolution 2537 (2020) on the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), and the 1977 and 1979 High-Level Agreements,

– having regard to the fundamental principles of international law, the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ICCPR and the ECHR which establish that no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest and detention,

–having regard to Protocol 10 of the Accession Treaty, which provides that the Republic of Cyprus entered the EU as a whole and that the acquis is suspended in the area which is not under its effective control due to the Turkish occupation, and to the judicially affirmed accountability of Türkiye for occurring violations of human rights in the occupied areas,

–having regard to Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure

A. Whereas Cyprus, an EU Member State, remains divided since the illegal Turkish invasion of 1974 and under a continuing occupation of 37% of the island in violation of international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions on Cyprus, including 541 (1983) and 550 (1984)

B. Whereas on 19 July, the so-called authorities in the occupied part of Cyprus illegally arrested five Greek-Cypriot citizens who were later brought before a military court on unfounded charges of espionage, unauthorised entry and for allegedly violating a forbidden military zone after crossing the designated crossing point in Strovilia

C. Whereas the detentions appear to constitute a retaliatory measure in response to the arrests by the Republic of Cyprus of individuals accused of illegally selling Greek-Cypriot properties in the occupied areas of the island

1.Strongly condemns the illegal arrest and continued detention of the five Greek-Cypriot citizens in the occupied territories as a flagrant violation of human rights and demands their immediate release. Considers their arrest and detention as politically motivated, aiming to facilitate inter alia the divisionist propaganda of Mr.Tatar in his efforts to remain in the leadership of the Turkish-Cypriot community .

2.Calls on the Commission to take immediate and decisive initiatives exerting its influence on Turkiye for the immediate release of the five EU citizens and to refrain from such illegal actions in the future.

3.Reaffirms its view that the only solution to the Cyprus problem is a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement on the basis of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with a single international legal personality, single sovereignty, single citizenship and political equality, as set out in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Rejects Türkiye’s and Mr. Tatar’s position for a two states’ solution.

3.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU institutions, Türkiye, the Republic of Cyprus and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community.