June 10, 2009 - by Nicos Roussis (CNA)
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has urged Turkey to execute without delay the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), concerning cases Greek Cypriots and the government of Cyprus have brought against Turkey.
A press release issued Tuesday by the Committee says it concluded on 5 June 2009 its second special human rights meeting devoted to the supervision of the execution of the judgments of the ECHR.
The ECHR judgments are Cyprus v. Turkey, Loizidou v. Turkey, Xenides - Arestis v. Turkey and Kakoulli, Isaak and Solomou v. Turkey.
Based on the ECHR judgment on the Fourth Interstate Application of Cyprus vs Turkey, Turkey must without delay proceed with the investigation into the fate of those persons, who as a result of the 1974 Turkish invasion in Cyprus, were declared as missing.
According to the Fourth Interstate Application of Cyprus vs Turkey ruling, (10 May 2001), Ankara is found guilty of continuous gross human rights violations in Cyprus.
Turkey is also called upon to return the properties of Greek Cypriots Titina Loizidou and Myra Xenides Aresti, which are in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus.
Turkey has paid Loizidou over one million dollars in compensation for the loss of use of her property in Turkish occupied Cyprus but still denies her access to her property.
Moreover, Turkey is urged to pay Greek Cypriot refugee Xenides Aresti the damages ordered by the Court. The ECHR found Turkey guilty of violation of the applicant's right to enjoy peacefully her property in Turkish occupied Famagusta.
The Committee of Ministers calls on Turkey to execute the judgment in the case of Isaak and Solomou who were murdered by Turks in the buffer zone in August 1996, during an anti-occupation rally.
Turkey ranks first among the list of countries, which, according to the Committee of Ministers, show an unexplainable persistence on not complying with the final rulings of the ECHR.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.
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