The General Manager of Evkaf Administration İbrahim Benter, announced that he appreciated the decision made by the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) that allowed the Cyprus Foundations Administration (Evkaf) to become a party to the lawsuit regarding an immovable property in the Maraş region.

Benter evaluated the relevant decision as an important step in protecting the historical property rights of the Turkish Cypriot People.

According to the written statement made by Evkaf, with the lawsuit brought to the Commission by a Greek Cypriot plaintiff, Evkaf for the first time is taking part in the lawsuit as an interested party.

Referring to the statement made by the Commission on Friday, January 28, Benter said, “We appreciate this important and reasonable decision made by the Immovable Property Commission, which recognizes the interest of the foundations in this case and allowed us to be a party to the case. We consider this decision as an important step in protecting our historic property rights.”

Noting that the Commission, which was established in accordance with the provisions of the European Court of Human Rights was established to evaluate the property demands of the Greek Cypriots who had land in North Cyprus prior to July 1974, Benter said, “In 2020, Evkaf, on behalf of the Abdullah Pasha Foundation applied to become a party to the lawsuit numbered 1732/2011 but that the Greek Cypriot plaintiff objected to Evkaf being a party to the case and a legal dispute arose”.

“After hearing the arguments for and against, the IPC accepted the application, believing that Evkaf had legitimate reasons to participate in this case” said Benter.

Stating that with the decision of the IPC announced on Friday, it was the first time that litigation was required for Evkaf to join a lawsuit regarding the property claim of Greek Cypriots in North Cyprus, Benter noted that Evkaf participated in a previous case at the IPC with the consent of the plaintiff.

“Evkaf argues that they are the legal owners of 100% of the lands in Maraş area when Cyprus was under British colonial rule between 1878 and1960, its assets were unlawfully transferred to individuals and institutions and organizations. According to the laws governing the Foundation and international agreements to which the UK is a signatory, the assets of the Foundation cannot be sold or transferred” said Benter.

Noting that Evkaf is a charity and one of the oldest institutions in Cyprus, Benter said the Vakıf was established in 1571 by order of Sultan Selim II to manage donations made by Muslims and works for the benefit of all Cypriot citizens regardless of ethnicity, religion, language or gender.