Greek Cypriot Ombudswoman: “Turkish Cypriots are being tormented”

According to her latest report on November 25, the Greek Cypriot Ombudswoman Eliza Savvidou stated that unfair enforcements are exposed to the Turkish Cypriots by the Greek Cypriot Population and Migration Department, especially the children of Turkish Cypriots and their relatives face serious delays in obtaining a Cypriot passport. Savvidou also indicated that she repeatedly sent letters to the ministry but she has not received any response from the (migration) department. According to the Greek Cypriot daily Politis newspaper, Savvidou reported that the Greek Cypriot Population and Immigration Department creates troubles to Turkish Cypriots during their application process for obtaining a Cypriot passport but the authorities ignores her reports. Savvidou noted, “I have not yet received a response from the department,” and “I was not informed on any developments” despite several requests. She detailed a total of 14 cases that have come to her attention, as well as 18 filed with the law firm of Michaelides & Zavalli by Turkish Cypriots with most facing delays of up to six and seven years. In her report Savvidou said: “I consider it reasonable that affected individuals may have the impression they are unfavorably treated due to their origins.”

Savvidou stated that the Registration Office and Interior Ministry often neglect to provide information related to the applications as foreseen by the law. Savvidou also stressed that the deputy chief of the migration department needed to resolve the problem “and immediately find solutions.”