Nicosia, Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman said he is holding discussions about Turkish Cypriots being denied entry to Turkey and has repeatedly raised the issue with Turkish officials. He said he wants to understand the reasons behind any restrictions affecting his citizens.
Erhurman raises issue with Turkey’s vice president
Erhurman said he discussed the matter with Turkey’s Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz and brings it up in every meeting. He said he does not know whether the restrictions on some Turkish Cypriots’ access to Turkey will be removed but said he needs to know the reasoning because his own citizens are involved.
He said answers would come “all at once” and not “in pieces,” adding that an investigation has been launched and results will be reviewed.
N-82 and G-82 lists and how they affect entry
It is believed that around 15 Turkish Cypriots are on one of Turkey’s N-82 and G-82 lists. Being on the N-82 list means a person must apply in advance to the Turkish embassy in their country for pre-clearance to enter Turkey, while being on the G-82 list entails an outright ban from entering the country.
Neither list is publicly available, and those on the lists generally do not find out until they arrive in Turkey.
Opposition criticism and blocked inquiry
Last year, opposition party CTP ‘MP’ Sami Ozuslu said some people wrote to the Turkish embassy in northern Nicosia seeking clarification after being refused entry to Turkey, but the embassy did not respond. He added that the TRNC prime minister Unal Ustel said he received no response after writing a letter.
Ozuslu also said the ruling coalition blocked the creation of a ‘parliamentary’ investigation committee in 2024 into the circumstances surrounding the placement of Cypriots on the two lists.
Ruling coalition response
Ruling coalition party UBP ‘MP’ Zorlu Tore defended the coalition’s lack of action, saying those who appeared on the lists should have chosen their words more carefully.
What steps do you think should be taken to clarify why individuals are placed on Turkey’s N-82 and G-82 lists?