**NICOSIA** – A stark report from the European Parliament has illuminated significant human rights infringements experienced by Greek Cypriot children attending schools in Rizokarpaso, located on the Karpas peninsula in northern Cyprus. The inquiry details how Turkish Cypriot authorities have demonstrably curtailed fundamental individual, educational, and religious freedoms for these pupils, impacting the very fabric of their schooling.
The document, compiled by the European Parliamentary research service at the behest of Cypriot MEP Loucas Fourlas, meticulously outlines a pattern of obstruction. Notably, Turkish Cypriot authorities have recently rejected seven proposed school textbooks and withheld approval for seven prospective teachers. Such actions, the report asserts, have critically undermined the consistent operation of both primary and secondary education for the island's northern Greek Cypriot community. This situation is particularly poignant given the historical context, where the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus led to the displacement of many, leaving behind a small number of Greek Cypriots in the north, often referred to as "enclaved."
The findings draw heavily upon the Third Vienna Agreement, a pivotal accord signed in August 1975. This agreement was intended to guarantee dignified living conditions for those Greek Cypriots who remained in the north following the division of the island. Central to these assurances were the uninterrupted provision of education, access to essential healthcare services, and the liberty to practise their religion freely. The European Parliament report implicitly, and in some instances explicitly, frames the current actions by Turkish Cypriot authorities as a contravention of these established commitments. The report states, "the violation of the human rights” of Greek Cypriot children in Rizokarpaso who are enrolled at the town’s schools by the Turkish Cypriot authorities," and further elaborates that "fundamental individual, educational, and religious freedoms continue to be restricted by the occupying regime."
Recent enrollment figures underscore the precarious nature of this community's educational provision. This year, Rizokarpaso's secondary school has registered just 15 students, while the primary school caters to 18 children, and kindergarten has 16 pupils. Despite these modest numbers, the obstacles to providing a standard educational experience persist. The report explicitly notes that "These decisions negatively affected the smooth functioning of both primary and secondary education." The United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus continues to play a supportive role, assisting with the placement of teachers and the delivery of essential educational materials, a testament to the ongoing international awareness of the community's needs.
In response to the report's findings, Tufan Erhurman, a prominent Turkish Cypriot leader, addressed the matter at a recent press conference. He articulated a strong sentiment regarding 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 further pledged, "Whatever needs to be done will be done." In a parallel, though distinct, call for reciprocity, Erhurman also highlighted the educational rights of Turkish Cypriot children residing in Limassol, proposing the establishment of a Turkish language school there. He emphasised, "The right to education for Turkish Cypriot children living in Limassol is just as important as that of our children in Karpasia. They are also our children, and I will continue to be assertive on this matter."
The European Parliament report is anticipated to serve as a lasting reference point for the European Union concerning human rights and educational conditions within the occupied territories of Cyprus. In light of the report's gravity, MEP Loucas Fourlas has formally requested that a delegation from the European Parliament undertake a visit to Rizokarpaso. Such a visit would offer firsthand observation of the prevailing circumstances, potentially galvanising further action and shedding brighter light on the ongoing challenges faced by this vulnerable community. The situation in Rizokarpaso thus remains a potent symbol of the unresolved complexities and persistent human rights concerns that continue to permeate the divided island.