A recent European Parliament report has brought to light significant human rights infringements affecting Greek Cypriot children attending schools in Rizokarpaso. Located on the Karpas peninsula, these students are reportedly facing restrictions on their fundamental individual, educational, and religious freedoms. Turkish Cypriot authorities have been accused of substantially curtailing these essential liberties, impacting the overall quality of their education.
The comprehensive document, prepared by the European Parliamentary research service, meticulously details a pattern of obstruction by Turkish Cypriot authorities. It has been revealed that seven proposed school textbooks were recently rejected, and approval for seven prospective teachers was withheld. These actions, the report contends, have critically undermined the consistent operation of both primary and secondary education for the remaining Greek Cypriot community in the north. This situation is particularly sensitive given the historical context of the 1974 Turkish invasion, which led to significant displacement.
These findings are closely linked to the Third Vienna Agreement, a crucial accord signed in 1975. This agreement was designed to ensure dignified living conditions for Greek Cypriots who remained in the north after the island's division. Key assurances included uninterrupted education, access to healthcare, and the freedom to practice religion. The European Parliament report implies, and in some cases explicitly states, that current actions by Turkish Cypriot authorities contravene these established commitments. The report clearly identifies "the violation of the human rights" of these children.
Enrollment figures for Rizokarpaso's schools highlight the precarious educational provision for this community. The secondary school currently has just 15 students, while the primary school educates 18 children, and kindergarten serves 16 pupils. Despite these modest numbers, significant obstacles to providing a standard educational experience persist. The United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus continues to offer support, assisting with teacher placement and the delivery of essential educational materials, demonstrating ongoing international awareness of the community's needs.
In response, Tufan Erhurman, a prominent Turkish Cypriot leader, has expressed the importance of education for children in the Karpasia region, stating, "the right to education for our children in Karpasia is extremely important to me." He pledged, "Whatever needs to be done will be done." Erhurman also advocated for the educational rights of Turkish Cypriot children in Limassol, proposing a Turkish language school there. The European Parliament report is expected to serve as a vital reference for the EU regarding human rights and educational conditions in the occupied territories. MEP Loucas Fourlas has formally requested a delegation visit to Rizokarpaso to observe the prevailing circumstances firsthand.