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Larnaca, Monday, 22 May 2023 - Radisson Blu Hotel - Larnaca
Honourable Chairperson and dear
members of the Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee of the PACE,
Dear friends and Colleagues,
It is with great pleasure that
I welcome you to Larnaca, my hometown. This is the first time Larnaca is
hosting a Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
(PACE) and I am honoured to address this meeting here today.
The work of the Legal Affairs
and Human Rights Committee of the PACE is of utmost significance on many
levels, both for the Council of Europe and its member states. The protection
and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe and beyond,
constitute the backbone of this Committee’s work and I wish to sincerely
congratulate its members and Secretariat for the quality of the work produced
that clearly enhances the credibility of the Assembly and its members, but
most importantly improves the human rights and lives of millions of
citizens.
A simple look at today’s agenda
testifies the importance, relevance and scope of the Committee’s work. Issues
related to the protection of human rights across the European continent,
particularly in places where fundamental rights are being put into question,
the adherence to the Convention system and the transposition into national
legislation of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, combating
impunity, eradicating judicial corruption and upholding the rule of law are
some of the most important issues and activities this Committee deals with.
This ongoing work of course is reflected
in PACE resolutions and recommendations
addressed to member states and other bodies of the Council of Europe.
Unfortunately, far too many member States still commit themselves far too
less to what they should guarantee their citizens under the Convention. And
due to a series of crises, we are even witnessing an erosion of these rights
and freedoms in some member states.
The situation in Cyprus is
directly related to the work of this Committee, as well as other Committees.
Many important decisions, resolutions and recommendations relating directly
or indirectly to the Cyprus problem have been adoptedthrough the years. Some
of you will remember the Report on the Rights and fundamental freedoms of
Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in the northern part of Cyprus (2003),
the Report on the colonisation by Turkish settlers of the occupied part of
Cyprus (2003), the Report on national sovereignty and statehood in
contemporary international law (2012), as well as the one on enforced
population transfer as a human rights violation (2011). All the above attest
widespread violations of human rights in Cyprus. Of course, we also look
forward to Mr. Piero Fassino’s Report on the return of Famagusta to its
lawful owners, currently under preparation in the Committee on Political
Affairs and Democracy.
For 49 years now, the people of
Cyprus have been suffering gross violations of their fundamental human
rights, as a result of Turkey’s invasion and continuing occupation of more
than one third of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus. The
protracted Cyprus problem and the de
factodivision of the country continue to haunt the livesofwhole people of
Cyprus, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, alike. For our part, we exert
every effort for the resumption of substantive negotiations from where they
stopped, within the agreed United Nations framework and with the European
Union having a complementary and supportive role with the aim of reaching a
just and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem, in accordance with
international law, pertinent UN Security Council Resolutions and European
principles and values. A settlement that will reunify our country in
conditions of lasting peace and prosperity for the sake of our youth and
generations to come.
The European Court of Human
Rights has dealt with complex issues relating to the situation in Cyprus in
individual applications lodged before it, as well as in interstate
applications. Taking this opportunity, I wish to express my disappointment at
the decision of the Committee of Ministers to close the supervision of the
case Titina Loizidou vs Turkey. This decision
sets a dangerous precedent as regards property
rights of affected persons in other Council of Europe member states. It also
sends a dangerous signal, that with the passage of time, human rights
violations can be erased. Human rights violations cannot be normalized, nor
can we accept the systematic, unlawful exploitation and sale of Greek Cypriot
properties in the areas under Turkish military occupation. We count on your
support on this crucial matter and I am certain that during the hearing
tomorrow on interstate cases, you will have a better understanding of the
fundamental issues at stake.
What is important to remember
is that the principles and values of the Council of Europe must be applied in
all member states, with no exceptions. The logic of double standards
depending on who the aggressor is, emboldens perpetrators to proceed with
their unlawful acts. The landmark summit in Reykjavik has been all the more
relevant in reaffirming the pivotal role of the Council of Europe in addressing
key challenges to our democratic security.
I wish to pay tribute to the
presence here, today, of Ms Evgenia Kara-Muzra, wife of the Russian
opposition activist and recipient of the 2022 Vaclav Havel prize of the
Council of Europe, Mr. Vladimir Kara-Muzra. Ms Kara-Muzra’s courage and
resolve to fight for the rights of her husband, who is today in prison on
charges of treason because he has openly criticized Russia’s war in Ukraine,
deserves our profound respect and admiration. The burden this family is
carrying is immense and it is important to acknowledge their suffering and
reassure them of our friendship and solidarity. It is important to reach out
to and support people who speak out the truth and who have shown, oftenat the
risk oftheir lives, how relevant the core principles and values of the
Council of Europe remain to this day. From the very first day the Russian
invasion started, the Republic of Cyprus and the House of Representatives
have stood firm by the people of Ukraine, but also by those who oppose
Putin’s war in the Russian Federation.
Politically motivated
persecutions, such as in the Kara-Muzra case, and violations of human rights
falling under article 18 of the European Convention on Human Rights, as our
dear Colleague Mr. Constantinos Efstathiou, has recently documented in the 11th
Report on the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human
Rights, cannot be tolerated. Open, vibrant and dynamic societies need not be
afraid to speak up, freely criticise mainstream narratives and policies and
express dissenting opinions. All voices should be heard and respected in a
democratic society, not silenced. The same
applies with respect to the Osman Kavala
case, Alexei Navalny or Sergei Magnitsky. Our duty as parliamentarians, at
the national, European and international levels, is to urge our governments
to take action and fully commit themselves to their obligations towards their
citizens. At the same time, we must initiate legislative changes and reform
to better protect human rights and anchor the rule of law firmly within our
institutions and societies.
Dear Colleagues,
With these thoughts, I wish you
all fruitful deliberations and a pleasant and memorable stay in Cyprus.
Thank you for your attention.
(The text as sent by the House
of Representatives)
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