On the Detention of EU Citizens in the occupied areas of Cyprus

B100376/2025

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

(2025/2860(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to UN Security Council Resolutions 541 (1983), 550 (1984), 1251 and subsequent renewals affirming the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of Cyprus,

–having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas on 19 July 2025, five elderly Greek Cypriot citizens were arbitrarily arrested in Trikomo while visiting their ancestral properties, charged with spurious offenses including “illegal entry” and “espionage,” and remain detained despite health problems;

B.whereas Cyprus condemned the arrests as unlawful, provocative and politically motivated, noting their timing before the 51st anniversary of Turkey’s 1974 invasion;

C.whereas the so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)” is an entity recognized only by Turkey, with UNSC Resolutions 541 and 550 declaring its unilateral declaration null and void;

D.whereas 37% of Cyprus remains under Turkish military occupation, with Turkey exercising effective control and thus bearing responsibility for human rights violations, as confirmed by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR);

E.whereas the detentions breach fundamental rights including liberty, property and fair trial guarantees, and highlight the absence of the rule of law in the occupied areas;

F.whereas observers, including Turkish Cypriot lawyers, criticized the arrests as politically motivated; whereas property usurpation, intimidation of enclaved Cypriots, and restrictions on freedom of religion and exercise of cultural expression persists;

G.whereas such actions aim to deter displaced Greek Cypriots from visiting or reclaiming properties, undermine confidence-building and jeopardize the peace effort;

H.whereas the EU recognizes only the Republic of Cyprus, and detention of EU citizens by an unrecognized regime is an affront to the Union;

I.whereas Turkey’s refusal to recognize Cyprus and its ongoing occupation remain major obstacles in EU-Turkey relations;

1.Strongly condemns the unlawful detention of the five Greek Cypriot citizens and demands their immediate and unconditional release;

2.Reaffirms that Cyprus is the sole legitimate authority which has the right to exercise jurisdiction on the entire territory of Cyprus;

3.Stresses that the charges in the occupied territory are unfounded, politically motivated, and in violation of international law and the ECHR;

4.Urges an end of the occupation of Cyprus, to be settled within the UN framework, in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions; stresses the need for Turkey to constructively take part in this dialogue and commit to its international obligations and withdraw support of the legally invalid entity;

5.Urges EU and Member States to coordinate diplomatic pressure, raise the case in international fora, and use all available measures;

6.Calls on the EEAS to monitor human rights in the occupied areas, report regularly, and ensure EU presence at proceedings;

7.Notes that Turkey’s continued breaches negatively impacts EU-Turkey relations;

8.Emphasizes that this is a European issue of principle; defending Cyprus’s sovereignty is essential to EU credibility;

9.Expresses solidarity with the Government and people of Cyprus as well as with the families of the detained;

10.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the relevant parties.