Property in occupied north Cyprus – the facts
Your questions answered
Some unscrupulous property developers and estate agents are attempting to sell stolen Greek Cypriot properties in the illegally occupied north of Cyprus. To tempt prospective purchasers to part with their money, a number of untruths are being made to unsuspecting British nationals. Please note the following answers to important issues.
Q Who owns the land and properties in occupied north Cyprus?
A Approximately 90 percent is owned by Greek Cypriots. It is most likely that any property being touted belongs to Greek Cypriot refugees, who according to UN resolutions have the right to return, but for the time being are prevented from doing so.
Q Are title-deeds issued by the regime in occupied north Cyprus legal?
A No. They are NOTworth the paper they are written on. The ethnically cleansed Greek Cypriots remain the legitimate holders of title-deeds, as reaffirmed by the European Court of Human Rights (Loizidou v Turkey 1996) and the English High Court (Orams v Apostolides 2006).
Q Has there been a ‘property exchange’in occupied Cyprus between Greek and Turkish Cypriots?
A No. Such an agreement HAS NOTtaken place as Greek Cypriots wish to return, but for the moment are unable to, due to the current illegal Turkish occupation. The distribution of false title-deeds by the occupation regime does not constitute a ‘property exchange’.
Q Is occupied ‘north Cyprus’a legal entity?
A No. It is part of the Republic of Cyprus which is under illegal Turkish occupation, in violation of international law. Therefore the laws and courts of the occupied territories are invalid and cannot provide legal remedy to any property disputes.
Q Is it legal to purchase Greek Cypriot property in occupied Cyprus?
A No. It is ILLEGALto exploit the properties of Greek Cypriots in occupied Cyprus. This can and has resulted in imprisonment in the free areas of the island.
Q But didn’t the English High Court rule that the Orams won the right to
remain on the land they ‘purchased’in occupied Cyprus?
A No. The Court reaffirmed that Mr Apostolides, a Greek Cypriot refugee remains the owner of his land and that the Orams are “trespassers”.
Q If there is a solution to the Cyprus occupation, will buyers keep any property they "purchased"?
A The British High Commission in Cyprus has warned that in the event of a solution "purchasers" risk losing illegally obtained property that belongs to Greek Cypriots.
http://www.lobbyforcyprus.org/