Brussels, Belgium. A European Parliamentary Research Service report seen by the Cyprus Mail criticised what it described as violations of the human rights of Greek Cypriot children enrolled in schools in Rizokarpaso. The report said fundamental individual, educational and religious freedoms continue to be restricted.
Report request and findings
The report was requested by Cypriot MEP Loucas Fourlas of Disy. It stated that “fundamental individual, educational, and religious freedoms continue to be restricted by the occupying regime”.
Reference to the Third Vienna agreement
The report referred to the Third Vienna agreement signed in August 1975 by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and interim president Glafcos Clerides, which set out terms for population exchanges and the continued residence of Greek Cypriots who wished to remain in the north after 1974.
According to the report, the agreement “provided for the assurance of dignified living conditions” for Greek Cypriots who remain in the north, “including uninterrupted education, access to medical and pharmaceutical care, and the free exercise of their religious rights”. The report said these rights “are not being respected”.
Schools on the Karpas peninsula
The report said Turkish Cypriot authorities have in recent years “rejected the use of seven school textbooks and did not approve the appointment of seven teachers”. It said the decisions negatively affected the smooth functioning of both primary and secondary education.
Comments by Tufan Erhurman
Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman was asked about the matter during a press conference on Monday and said the right to education for children in Karpasia is extremely important to him. He said, “Whatever needs to be done will be done,” and added that ensuring the right to education of Greek Cypriot children in Karpasia will not depend on the Greek Cypriot side reciprocating.
Erhurman also called on the Republic of Cyprus to allow the opening of a Turkish language school in Limassol. He said the right to education for Turkish Cypriot children living in Limassol is as important as that of children in Karpasia, adding that he would continue to be assertive on the issue.
What steps do you think should be taken to ensure uninterrupted education for children on both sides of Cyprus?