European Court of Human Rights

Caught in the trap of Cyprus, ’ migration system

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Caught in the trap of Cyprus, ’ migration system

Antreas Fernando was born in Cyprus in 2004 to Sri Lankan parents and has remained a third country national in the country of his birth. He became stateless when he turned 18 and lost his legal status in Cyprus. Despite efforts to secure citizenship or legal status, he has been unable to do so. Antreas has never visited Sri Lanka and does not speak Sinhalese. The interior ministry assures that individuals in similar situations will not face prejudice for living without legal status since turning 18.

Turkish Cypriot conscientious objector Karapaşaoğlu jailed for defying call-up

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Turkish Cypriot conscientious objector Karapaşaoğlu jailed for defying call-up

Turkish Cypriot conscientious objector Halil Karapaşaoğlu was sentenced to three days in prison for refusing to pay a fine related to his mobilisation call. This is his second trial in the occupied north for defying the call-up, with his initial declaration of conscientious objection in 2013 leading to military court trials until 2019. Despite receiving a fine in 2019, his refusal to pay resulted in a 20-day prison sentence, later reduced to three nights and four days by a higher court. Critics, such as Murat Kanatlı, have condemned the ruling, pointing out the officials’ hypocrisy in advocating for human rights in European forums but failing to implement relevant ECHR decisions domestically. Karapaşaoğlu’s lawyer, Öncel Pili, has pledged to continue fighting for conscientious objector rights despite the imprisonment.

‘When I saw Thanasis’ body, my life stopped’

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‘When I saw Thanasis’ body, my life stopped’

– After 19 years, a court has ruled that Thanasis Nicolaou was murdered, not that he committed suicide.

Official side did not leak info during major property trial, court rules,  

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Official side did not leak info during major property trial, court rules,  

The Nicosia district court ruled that neither the legal service nor the police leaked information to the media in connection with a criminal case against a property developer in 2014.

Thanasis case: AG says Legal Service did nothing wrong; Andriana hits back (Updated)

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Thanasis case: AG says Legal Service did nothing wrong; Andriana hits back (Updated)

Fact: The Legal Service has been criticized for its handling of the case of Thanasis Nicolaou, with his family and the judge questioning their actions.

Small island states secure historic,  climate win at international ocean court

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Small island states secure historic,  climate win at international ocean court

A group of small island states, including Antigua and Barbuda and the Bahamas, secured a win on climate change in an international court. The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) stated that greenhouse gas emissions absorbed by the ocean are considered marine pollution, and countries are obligated to protect marine environments beyond the requirements of the Paris climate agreement. The opinion is not legally binding but can guide countries in their climate policy and serve as legal precedent in other cases.

Establishing fate of missing , ‘top priority’ for govt

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Establishing fate of missing , ‘top priority’ for govt

Fact: There are still 758 Greek Cypriots missing out of 1,510, according to government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis.

Turkey convicts former pro-Kurdish party officials over 2014 Kobani protests

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Turkey convicts former pro-Kurdish party officials over 2014 Kobani protests

Fact: Former pro-Kurdish party leader Selahattin Demirtas was sentenced to more than 40 years in jail for instigating protests in 2014 triggered by an Islamic State attack on the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani.

Our View: Who can we now trust to investigate soldier, ’s murder?

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Our View: Who can we now trust to investigate soldier, ’s murder?

After 19 years of investigations, a judge ruled that the death of national guardsman Thanasis Nicolaou in September 2005 was not the result of suicide.

Thanasis Nicolaou , ‘feared for his life’ in army camp, court hears 

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Thanasis Nicolaou , ‘feared for his life’ in army camp, court hears 

Fact: Thanasis Nicolaou was found dead under Alassa bridge in September 2005, and his death was ruled as a suicide by a forensic pathologist.