Erhurman defends Immovable Property Commission amid calls for alternative fund

Nicosia, Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman defended the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) on Thursday, as the Republic of Cyprus’ parliament has considered creating an alternative fund for Greek Cypriot displaced persons.

He said the IPC had been recognised by the European Court of Human Rights as an effective domestic legal remedy and pledged to strengthen it further.

Property claims mechanism

Erhurman said press commentaries in the south had referred to efforts by the Greek Cypriot leadership to obstruct or hinder Greek Cypriot applications to the IPC.

“A complete solution to the property issue in Cyprus is only possible with a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem,” he said.

He said the IPC had been established to allow Greek Cypriots to submit claims regarding property rights in the period before a settlement.

“Furthermore, this mechanism, the Immovable Property Commission, has been recognised by the European Court of Human Rights as an effective domestic legal remedy in accordance with international law,” he said.

Calls for equivalent mechanism

Erhurman said maintaining the commission unilaterally under current conditions was not easy, but added that shortcomings which had emerged had been addressed.

He said the IPC would be strengthened rapidly.

Erhurman also said there was no equivalent mechanism in the south to assess Turkish Cypriot claims regarding immovable property remaining there. He said Turkish Cypriots who sought to use other mechanisms were generally told to wait until after a solution to access their rights.

He questioned why applications to the IPC were being obstructed and why attempts were being made to address the island’s property issue through criminal law instruments that could lead to restrictions on individuals’ liberty.