EUROPEAN COUNCIL CRITICIZED GREEK CYPRIOT ADMINISTRATION WITH RACISM

European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) accused Greek Cypriot Administration for not having policies to improve the dialogue and reconciliation with the Turkish Cypriots. ECRI in its report on racism and foreigner hostility, devoted a special part to the Cyprus issue and criticized Greek Cypriot Administration.

The report, which recommended the Greek Cypriot Administration not to miss the existing opportunities for actively improving conciliation and dialogue between Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots said :“the Cypriot authorities should pay attention and address problems of racism and racial discrimination facing Turkish Cypriot citizens”.

In the report the Greek Administration was also criticized for lack of a comprehensive policy on immigration and harmonization and said foreign immigrant workers were faced with discrimination and human rights violations.

The report recommends the Greek Cypriot Administration to put an end to its discriminative actions against Turkish Cypriots.

Stating that many Turkish Cypriots, who lived in the south or traveled to the south Cyprus on a daily basis to work, were faced with discrimination and racist treatments, Report said “there have been instances of harassment and ill-treatment of Turkish Cypriot citizens by the police, and the constitutional provisions, which establish Turkish as an official language in Cyprus, have not been applied in practice.”

Referring to the position of the Turkish Cypriots, who have properties in south Cyprus, report pointed out that Turkish Cypriots face serious difficulties in having their property reinstated or in being compensated for loss of such property.

 

Meanwhile Ex-Vice Director of the Greek Cypriot Police Nikos Serdaris in a letter sent to Greek Cypriot daily Politis said:“ In the pre-election periods, high ranking police officers upon the instructions they receive from politicians were blackmailing their political rivals, engaging in terrorist activities, pursuing individuals, and spreading false information.”