Immoveable Property Commission authorises exchange of property

For the first time, a Greek Cypriot, who has already applied to the European Court of Human Rights on the property issue, has brought the case to the TRNC Immoveable Property Commission.

The Commission has for the first time authorized an exchange of immoveable property between an applicant Greek Cypriot owner, who already applied to the ECHR, and a Turkish Cypriot who left a similar-valued property in the South.

The number of Greek Cypriots who have applied to the Immoveable Property Commission has risen to 182.

The case is important for having provided precedence for similar cases before the Commission.

The latest application is expected to strengthen the position of the Immoveable Property Commission as a local legal system of remedy and it is also expected to provide an example to cases taken up by the ECHR.

The Immovable Property Commission works with the aim of providing local remedies to the property issue which is one of the substantial issues of the Cyprus problem.

The Commission has so far concluded 22 cases; ordering 3 restitutions, 2 exchange and the rest to be resolved through compensation.

There are currently 50 cases brought by Greek Cypriots before the ECHR awaiting verdict.

Experts say about 1,400 cases which have not been taken up by the ECHR yet, might be removed from the Court’s agenda, thus, leading the Immoveable Property Commission to remain as a leading source of remedy to the property issue.

^ Top of Page