Plans have been announced for the establishment of a “People’s International Tribunal on Cyprus: The right of the Cypriot people to self-determination and sovereignty”, which is due to take place on 13–14 November 2026 in Brussels.
The tribunal was presented by representatives of local and international organisations during a press conference held on Friday in Nicosia, describing it as an independent civil society initiative.
Crimes against humanity
The proposed tribunal will examine issues related to alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ongoing violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in relation to Cyprus.
Participants at the briefing included Efstathios Efstathiou of the Cyprus Democratic Lawyers Association, Oz Karahan of the Union of Cypriots, Urko Aiartza and Ceren Uysal of the European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights, also representing the International Association of Democratic Lawyers, as well as Andrea de Jesus of the International Front of Peoples.
Decolonisation and justice
During the presentation, organisers referred to the role of so-called People’s Tribunals, described as independent international initiatives created by civil society organisations with participation from lawyers, academics and human rights defenders from different countries.
They said the aim of the tribunal is to support accountability efforts through international and national judicial processes and other legal tools under international law. It also seeks to promote justice, truth, return, decolonisation and non-repetition, arguing that serious violations related to Cyprus should not be obscured by time or political considerations.
Anniversary of north's UDI
According to organisers, the timing of the tribunal between 13–14 November 2026, is symbolically linked to the anniversary of the 1983 unilateral declaration of the breakaway entity in northern Cyprus.
The initiative refers to the area as the “so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus”, which is recognised only by Turkey.
The organisers also said the tribunal aims to document and assess responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, including those connected to the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, as well as displacement, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture, sexual violence and denial of the right of return.
They said the tribunal will be composed of judges from various countries and will allow all directly involved parties to present their arguments.
Indictments against Turkey and UK
In the case of Cyprus, organisers said the indictment to be issued would include the political leaderships of Turkey and the United Kingdom.
They added that the parties concerned would have the right to appear and present their positions, but proceedings would continue and conclude within the scheduled two-day period even in their absence.
The tribunal’s findings are expected to be announced through the European Parliament once completed.
Organisers described the initiative as a “historic effort” to bring the situation in Cyprus to international attention.
CNA
