Three British Turkish Cypriot organizations hosted events at the UK Parliament and University of London to bring awareness to property rights in Maraş/Varosha. Former director of the Evkaf Foundation, Taner Derviş, presented on the legal status of foundations in Cyprus and how they relate to ownership in Maraş/Varosha. He argued that based on international law and Cyprus's constitution, foundations have irrevocable and inalienable ownership over their property, preventing unlawful seizure. The conferences aimed to better inform UK policymakers and the public on Turkish Cypriot land rights.

1. British Turkish Cypriot Association
UK News Release 10th February 2015
British Turkish Cypriot NGOs launch an informative lobby
campaign concerning Maraş / Varosha in the UK Parliament
Tuesday 10th February 2015: The British Turkish Cypriot Association & Southwark Turkish
Cypriot Association, both members of the Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations (UK), jointly
hosted three events on the issue of ownership of Maraş / Varosha:
The second conference, held on 28 January 2015 at the UK Houses of Parliament
A synopsis of the subject matter presented is as follows:
The property and compensation rights of Evkaf Foundation, the constitutionally acknowledged
umbrella organisation of Foundations in Cyprus, were highlighted in a series of conferences
held at the UK Houses of Parliament, the University of London and the Regency Banqueting
Suite on 27-29 January 2015. In the series of conferences organized by British Turkish
Cypriot NGOs in London, former director of the Evkaf Foundation, Mr. Taner Derviş, delivered
detailed information concerning the status of Maraş / Varosha. Within this context, property
and compensation rights of the Evkaf Foundation were revealed by detailed analysis based
on internationally recognised laws, international agreements and constitutional provisions.
The conference at the University of London, held on 27 January 2015, was attended by civil
society organisations, academics and the media. At the second conference, held on 28
January 2015 at the UK Houses of Parliament, the presence of UK Parliamentarians, Turkish
Embassy Officials, TRNC Representative and Greek Cypriot community leaders was noted.
Finally, the third conference held at the Regency Banqueting Suite on 29 January 2015, had
significant participation by members of the Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations (UK,) local
councillors, civil society organisations, community leaders and the media.
The scope of the conference delivered by Taner Derviş can be summarised under five
headings:
I The status of Foundations in Cyprus
II International Agreements and Foundations
III Legal ownership rights in Maraş / Varosha
IV Usurpation of Foundation assets in Cyprus
V Plan of action for Maraş / Varosha
More follows….

2. British Turkish Cypriot Association
UK News Release 10th February 2015
Continued…..
In the conference speech delivered by Taner Derviş, the main emphasis was on the legal
status of the Foundations. Within the context of the conference speech, it was noted that
Foundation principles have been part of the legal system of Cyprus since 1571 and that the
Constitution and the Laws of Cyprus uphold the principles of Foundation irrevocable,
Foundation in perpetuity and Foundation inalienable. According to these principles, no one
can acquire the ownership of any Foundation immovable property under any pretext or on any
other grounds.
Within the context of the conference, unlawful occupiers and lawful ownership rights of
Maraş/Varosha have also been identified based on internationally accepted legal documents.
The series of conferences organised by British Turkish Cypriot NGOs is the first informative
lobby initiative focused on the property rights of the Turkish Cypriot people. Similar initiatives
and events are being planned on international platforms.
Ends/

3. British Turkish Cypriot Association
UK News Release 10th February 2015
Notes to editors
If you have not received this press release direct, please contact BTCA with your name and
email and your language preference, and we can add you to our press mailing list.
About BTCA
The British Turkish Cypriot Association was established in July 2013. It coordinates the
activities of Turkish Cypriot associations and individual members of the Turkish Cypriot
Community for the purpose of presenting a more balanced view of the Turkish Republic of
Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and of the Turkish Cypriot people, emphasizing the importance of
enhanced understanding between the Turkish Cypriots and the international community.
About STCA
Southwark Turkish Cypriot Association (STCA) is a registered charitable organisation helping
the Turkish Cypriot Community in London.
BTCA and STCA are both members the Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations (UK) which is
an umbrella organisation representing 18 British Turkish Cypriot NGOs based throughout the
UK. It serves to empower the British Turkish Cypriot community through civic engagement,
and to support strong UK-Turkish Cypriot relations through education and advocacy.
Established on 8th
March 1983, the Council of Turkish Cypriot Associations (UK) is the
largest, democratically elected British Turkish Cypriot membership organisation in the United
Kingdom.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
Contact: British Turkish Cypriot Association
Post: 121 Warham Road, Haringay, London N4 1AS
E: info@ctca.org
T: + 44 (0) 7803 047187
Press Enquiries:
Mr. Ersu Ekrem (Turkish) T: + 44 (0) 7828 548472 E: ersu_ekrem@hotmail.com
Mr. Çetin Ramadan (English) T: + 44 (0) 7803 047187 E: cr@ctca.org