On the detention of EU citizens in the occupied areas of Cyprus

European Parliament resolution on the detention of EU citizens in the occupied areas of Cyprus

(2025/2860(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to the European Court of Human Rights judgment of 18 December 1996 in the case of Loizidou v Turkey (15318/89);

–having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas the occupying regime, which is a result of the Turkish invasion of 1974 and is subordinate to Türkiye, is illegal and not internationally recognised;

B.whereas, on 19 July 2025, five Greek Cypriot EU citizens – Antonis Louka, Andreas Kyprianou, Annie Kyprianou, Niki Gregoriou and Gregoris Gregoriou – were unlawfully detained and illegally charged by the Turkish military occupying regime while visiting their property in the village of Galatia;

C.whereas despite the absence of credible evidence, their detention has been repeatedly extended by an unrecognised military ‘court’ in the occupied areas;

D.whereas reports indicate that the detainees have suffered weight loss, severe health issues and lack of adequate medical treatment while in custody;

E.whereas this politically motivated act constitutes a grave violation of their fundamental rights, undermines the rule of law within the European Union’s own territory and sets a dangerous precedent;

F.whereas the detentions have been condemned across the political spectrum, including by prominent Turkish Cypriots, who stressed that such actions constitute political retaliation and undermine trust and the prospects for reunification;

G.whereas the Government of the Republic of Cyprus has strongly condemned the detentions as deliberate acts of intimidation to terminate the legal action against usurpation, has submitted complaints to the UN and the EU, and is currently examining the possibility of initiating proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights;

1.Strongly condemns the unlawful and politically motivated detention of five Greek Cypriot citizens by the Turkish military occupying regime and calls for their immediate and unconditional release;

2.Condemns the occupying regime’s disregard for every notion of justice and its attempt at abduction and hostage-taking to escalate intimidation, and to target and influence those who attempt to visit their ancestral properties or appeal to the ‘Immovable Property Commission’ in the occupied areas;

3.Urges Türkiye to provide the detainees with access to immediate medical care;

4.Urges the Commission and the European External Action Service to take all necessary measures, including considering punitive measures, to secure their release;

5.Calls on Türkiye to fully respect human rights enshrined in international law; 6. Condemns Türkiye’s continued illegal occupation of the northern part of Cyprus, now in its 51st year, as a serious breach of international law and an obstacle to peace, stability and EU-Türkiye relations;

7.Reiterates that the European Union has a moral and legal duty to support the Republic of Cyprus and its citizens, who are also EU citizens;

8.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of the Republic of Türkiye.