Turkey has to pay compensation in property case, says European Court

A property case, brought before the European Court of Human Rights against Turkey by a Greek Cypriot refugee, has concluded with a call on Ankara to pay compensation amounting to 885,000 euro by August 22 this year.
A five-member chamber of the Court has decided not to refer the case before the plenary of the Court, as requested by Turkey and Greek Cypriot Myra Xenidi Aresti, who claimed her property in the fenced area of the Turkish occupied town of Famagusta.
The decision of the chamber is final and confirms violation of Aresti’s right to property, as noted down in the Court decision of December 2006, in addition to making it clear that the issue of return and restoration of the said property is no longer a political matter but a court ruling which Turkey cannot but comply with.
The chamber’s decision also means that Turkey’s attempt to lay claim on property within the fenced area of Famagusta has been rejected and that the damages awarded are high.
The Court notified the two parties in writing about the chamber decision.
Aresti had asked the Court to examine the legality, the effectiveness and the compatibility, if any, of a self-styled property commission in Turkish occupied Cyprus with the European Convention of Human Rights.
Turkey has asked, according to all indications, the Court to examine a claim on Famagusta property.
The legality or not of the so-called property commission is likely to be brought up again before the Court in future cases against Turkey, filed by Greek Cypriots claiming their property in Turkish occupied Cyprus.