In response to the parliamentary question put forward by a member of the European Parliament Niyazi Kızılyürek, regarding the violation of the rights of the Turkish Cypriot youth who are unable to obtain Cypriot citizenship, the European Commission stated that in EU law cases, rules of member states in the field of nationally must also comply with EU law.
Kızılyürek expressed the difficulties experienced by thousands of Turkish Cypriot youths born from mixed marriages in obtaining Cypriot citizenship, and asked what measures the commission plans to take to end this violation of rights, the statement said.
Kızılyürek underlined that it is unacceptable for the rights of individuals born from mixed marriages to be denied Cypriot citizenship even though one of their parents has Cypriot citizenship.
The European Union (EU) Commissioner of Justice Didier Reynders, who responded on behalf of the Commission, said, “According to the established law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, each member state determines the necessary conditions for the attainment and loss of its citizenship within the framework of international law. However, in cases covered by EU law, member states’ rules on nationality must also comply with EU law.
Kızılyürek who responded to the statement demanded an end to discrimination against children born from marriages between Turkish Cypriots and Turkish citizens who are citizens of the Republic of Cyprus. He invited the Republic of Cyprus authorities to take measures based on respect for the human rights of thousands of Turkish Cypriot youths who were pushed into statelessness. Kızılyürek stated that this is a requirement of both international and European law.
