UN points to human rights issues for Turkish Cypriots from mixed marriages

Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman issued a statement following the report of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination dated May 1, 2026, which raises the issue of the rights of children born from mixed marriages. The document expresses concern about existing obstacles in the realization of their civil rights.

According to Erhürman, the report contains a recommendation to the Greek Cypriot side to eliminate these restrictions on a non-discriminatory basis. He noted that similar findings had already been recorded previously in the report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The politician emphasized that despite individual steps and partial reforms, the problem remains unresolved. Specifically, it concerns difficulties in obtaining European Union citizenship for Turkish Cypriot children born in mixed families.

“Problems regarding our children's EU citizenship persist. We continue to make efforts to eliminate this practice, which is unacceptable from a human rights perspective,” Erhürman stated.

He added that work to protect the rights of this category of citizens will continue at all international platforms until a full solution is achieved.