Citizenship Rights Case for Children of Mixed Marriages: Ruling Postponded

The hearing was attended by Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP Ürün Solyalı, representatives of nine trade unions financially and morally supporting the case, and members of relevant civil society organizations. Ahead of the proceedings, banners were displayed in support of Akkor.

Legal Arguments and Defense

During the hearing, which began at 9:30 AM, Akkor’s lawyer, Nikoletta Haralambidou, argued that the criteria set for citizenship were unconstitutional.

Haralambidou emphasized that denying Akkor's child citizenship on the grounds that her Turkish father had entered the country illegally was a constitutional violation. She stated that the criteria set by the Greek Cypriot Council of Ministers also contradicted constitutional principles.

Haralambidou noted that if her client had been born before 1974, she would not have been deprived of citizenship. She also pointed out that Akkor's mother was born in Cyprus, her husband is a Turkish Cypriot, and her child was born and raised in Cyprus.

Following the presentations, the court announced that its ruling would be issued at a later date but did not specify when.

Post-Hearing Statements

Haralambidou: "We Argue That the Citizenship Criteria Are Discriminatory"

Speaking after the hearing, lawyer Nikoletta Haralambidou explained the legal basis of the case. She noted that the appeal was based on Akkor’s right to citizenship as the child of a Cypriot mother but that her application did not meet the criteria set by the Council of Ministers.

She argued that these citizenship criteria were discriminatory, violating the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), particularly Article 12 (right to marry and found a family) and Article 8 (right to private and family life).

Haralambidou stated that the court typically takes seven to nine months to issue rulings in such cases but expressed hope that the decision would not take that long.

Akkor: "This Legal Battle Has Been Ongoing for 10 Years"

Eda Hançer Akkor emphasized that her case had been ongoing for a decade, first at the Administrative Court and now at the Supreme Court. She highlighted the uncertainty and hardship the prolonged legal process has caused.

"What matters is that we are close to a resolution. Regardless of whether the outcome is positive or negative, this case is a gain in itself," she said.

Akkor added that a positive ruling would set a legal precedent, while a negative decision would allow the case to be taken to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

She also expressed gratitude to the unions and civil society organizations supporting her.

Trade Union Support and Calls for Equality

Maviş: "We Demand Equality, Not Discrimination"

Burak Maviş, General Secretary of the Cyprus Turkish Teachers' Union (KTÖS), stressed that Turkish Cypriots are equal founding partners and citizens of the Republic of Cyprus.

"The Greek Cypriot authorities should facilitate, not complicate, the lives of the Turkish Cypriot community," he stated, emphasizing that they would continue to fight for citizenship rights on every platform.

Maviş reiterated that if justice was not served at this stage, they would take the case to the European Court of Human Rights. He emphasized that children born from mixed marriages should not be victims of the unresolved Cyprus issue.

He also noted that since a future settlement would require coexistence, waiting for a political resolution to address such cases was not a fair approach.

Maviş thanked all those who supported the legal battle.