President Tatar: Our Citizens in Greek Cypriot Prisons Face Cruelty

Kokcha News Agency — President Ersin Tatar of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has raised concerns over the dire conditions faced by Turkish Cypriot citizens in Greek Cypriot prisons, describing their treatment as “cruel.” During a meeting with Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar, the Personal Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Cyprus, President Tatar emphasized the need for urgent humanitarian intervention.

The meeting, which lasted over an hour, covered various issues, including the Cyprus problem, potential negotiations under the auspices of the UN, and plans to open new crossing points between the TRNC and the Greek Cypriot Administration.

President Tatar revealed that he will meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and his team on September 26, followed by a trilateral meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader on September 27. He described his meeting with Cuellar as constructive, stressing that any fair, lasting, and sustainable agreement on Cyprus must address the inequality of status between the two sides.

Tatar also expressed disappointment with the Greek Cypriot side’s negative stance on opening new crossing points, a topic he plans to raise again during the upcoming meetings in New York.

Highlighting the plight of Turkish Cypriot prisoners in Greek Cypriot jails, President Tatar stated, “Our citizens in Greek Cypriot prisons are facing cruelty. They are experiencing great distress due to the conditions and treatment in these prisons. We have received reports that our citizens are being subjected to severe mistreatment. I have requested Ms. Cuellar to intervene with the Greek Cypriot side to ensure that TRNC citizens are treated under humane conditions.”

Maria Angela Holguin Cuellar, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Representative, also addressed the media after the meeting. She noted that her discussions with President Tatar focused on the upcoming meeting with the Secretary-General in New York and the process of preparing a report on the situation in Cyprus.

Cuellar described her meeting with Tatar as positive and expressed hope for the resumption of talks between President Tatar and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides. “I hope that the talks between President Ersin Tatar and President Nikos Christodoulides will resume, and we will continue to work towards this goal,” she said.