A permanent solution to the issue of the 12 shacks in Mari and Zygi, whose residents are currently being asked, via notices posted on the walls, to vacate within two months, was unanimously called for by the Parliamentary Committee on Refugees, for Entrapped Persons, Missing Persons, and Victims, which decided to invite the Minister of the Interior to its next session.
The issue, which has been pending for decades, is linked to the government’s decision to relocate refugees from Mari due to the construction of the Energy Center. The relevant decision was made in 1995 and began to be implemented in 1998. At that time, plots of land and financial assistance were provided for the construction of homes, and subsequently, the Urban Planning Department proceeded with the construction of 12 small houses to house the beneficiaries.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The Committee Chair and AKEL Member of Parliament Nikos Kettiros noted that this is a problem that has existed for about 30 years and criticized the district administration for repeatedly bringing up the issue. As he explained, residents are now being told, via notices posted on walls, to vacate their homes within two months, without any clarification as to what solution is being proposed to them.
Mr. Kettiros stated that the Committee is calling for “a permanent solution to finally be provided,” noting that “the decision to dismantle the Mari community has created a situation that continues to leave unresolved issues for the refugees.”
As he explained, the shelters had been erected at a distance from the Energy Center to protect the residents, however, it was subsequently decided that the right to use them is personal and that no title deed or lease certificate can be issued. He added that “a different practice is followed in refugee settlements, where, upon the death of the original beneficiary, a process is initiated to issue a title and manage the property through the heirs.”
The Committee Chair stated that the members had unanimously decided to contact the office of the Minister of the Interior, since, as he said, a political decision is required to amend the relevant 1998 decision of the Council of Ministers. At the same time, he announced that the Minister would be invited to appear before the Committee to discuss and resolve the issue, which, as he noted, affects several displaced families.
According to Mr. Kettiros, of the 12 cottages, two are occupied by heirs, some remain vacant but have rightful claimants, while the Committee is requesting that the framework applicable to other refugee settlements be applied in this specific case as well.
DISY MP Giorgos Lysandridis stated that all members of the Committee seek to utilize every available legislative tool to assist the refugees in the area, both regarding the shacks for which eviction notices have been posted and the Turkish Cypriot homes that some residents continue to occupy.
He noted that there is a ministerial decision from 2025, according to which the community of Mari will be abolished in 2029. For this reason, he said, “the Minister of the Interior has been asked to attend the next session to clarify the government’s policy regarding the implementation or amendment of the decision,” as long as it remains in effect, it hinders the resolution of the remaining problems faced by the community’s refugees.
ELAM MP Linos Ioannis Hatzigeorgiou stated that the Committee was briefed on the facts regarding the housing units, noting that five beneficiaries have passed away, three were not residing in those specific dwellings, two housing units remain unoccupied, and two are being used legally.
He also mentioned that there are 14 other cases of families who moved from Mari to Zygi and have built new homes there. According to Mr. Hatzigeorgiou, “the 1998 ministerial decision should be amended to address the problems that have arisen.”
Furthermore, he argued that pressure should be exerted on the Minister of the Interior to ensure that the refugees are not forced to leave their homes a second time, while at the same time considering the granting of leases for Turkish Cypriot properties in Mari so that they can be used for agricultural purposes.
DIKO MP Adamos Aspris described the situation as particularly problematic, noting that the 1995 decision, which began to be implemented in 1998, continues to create problems for residents. As he stated, it is not enough to simply set a date for the dissolution of the community; a clear framework is needed regarding what is permitted and what is not during the transitional period.
Mr. Aspris confirmed that the Committee decided to request the presence of the Minister of the Interior at the next session so that the issue can be discussed and final decisions can be made.
ALMA Member of Parliament Litsa Drousiotou, referring to the Mari issue, emphasized that this is an unresolved issue that has remained open for decades and noted that people who have organized their lives based on previous government decisions should not be periodically faced withnotices to vacate.
“The state must resolve these outstanding issues with clarity, consistency, and social sensitivity, without creating new injustices at the expense of people who have been waiting for solutions for years,” he said.
Complaints Regarding Farmland and Agricultural Subsidies
Mr. Kettiros also addressed allegations regarding a plot of agricultural land that had been granted to a doctor working abroad who was reportedly receiving a subsidy from the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organization.
As he stated, the Committee has submitted the information and evidence at its disposal to the relevant agency, and this information will also be forwarded to the Auditor General and the Tax Commissioner. He noted that certain issues appear to have arisen that should be investigated and documented by the competent authorities, with the Committee awaiting a written report on the results of the investigation.
DISY MP Giorgos Lysandridis noted that the Committee received a briefing from the Commissioner for Agricultural Payments regarding the framework, the procedures, and the controls regarding crop subsidies. He said that the controls are strict and that procedures are underway to further tighten the framework.
Changes to the regulations governing Turkish Cypriot properties
The Committee also discussed changes to the regulations governing the management of Turkish Cypriot properties. Mr. Kettiros noted that during the implementation of the legislation, gaps and issues requiring review have been identified, including those related to vacation homes, commercial properties, the assignment of rights, and cases of a tie in the scoring system.
Special mention was also made of rents for commercial properties and the process for their payment. According to the Committee Chair, a timeline has been set for the amended regulations to be submitted to the Committee by the end of the year or in December.
Mr. Lysandridis said that there are several issues that require attention, including high rents and unforeseen procedures, while expressing his hope that the proposed amendments will be brought before Parliament as soon as possible.
Ms. Drousiotou emphasized that, when amending the regulations, the refugee-oriented nature of the management of Turkish Cypriot properties must be preserved, and priority must continue to be given to refugees with genuine housing, agricultural, or professional needs.
Crops in the Buffer Zone
Ms. Drousiotou raised the issue of farming in the buffer zone, noting that, according to the Commission’s briefing, neither side should be farming in the area, while there are reports of ongoing farming activities on the other side.
She requested that the current regulations be clarified immediately so that the same rules apply to everyone and the affected farmers are protected.
Mr. Lysandridis also referred to a briefing by the Commissioner for Agricultural Payments regarding reports that Turkish Cypriots and Turks are encroaching on the buffer zone and cultivating Greek Cypriot plots, an issue which, he said, is a cause for concern.
Support for the youth organizations of municipalities and communities
Finally, Mr. Lysandridis announced that DISY had submitted a proposal to the Committee regarding support for organized municipal and community youth groups, with the aim, as he said, to establish a legal framework for their operation and to provide resources and other forms of support for their activities.
Source: CNA
