Cyprus, a small island in the Mediterranean with a very complex history, is still divided today after more than 50 years. This division continues to affect all the people living on the island, in one way or another. Some Cypriots cannot access their property they left on the other side; other Cypriots cannot get Cypriot citizenship and are at risk of statelessness within their own country.
Background
The Republic of Cyprus was established in 1960 as a bi-communal State shared by Greek and Turkish Cypriots, with power-sharing structures defined by the London-Zurich Agreements and security guaranteed by Türkiye, Greece, and the UK.
However, the constitutional system soon became dysfunctional due to ethnic veto rights and tensions between the two communities. In 1963, conflict erupted, and Turkish Cypriots withdrew from state institutions.
In 1974, a Greece-backed coup and Türkiye’s subsequent military intervention divided the island into two, with Türkiye maintaining military control on the northern side of the island. In 1983, the northern part of Cyprus unilaterally declared independence with Türkiye’s support. However, this declaration of independence was deemed legally invalid by the United Nations, and the north remains unrecognised internationally. Today, Türkiye is the only country that recognises the northern side as a State.
The non-recognition of the northern part of Cyprus and its citizenship has complicated Turkish Cypriots’ official identity processes. Before the opening of the checkpoints in 2003, which allowed Turkish Cypriots to regain access to the Republic of Cyprus, the only way for them to travel abroad was by obtaining Turkish citizenship through Turkish embassies. While some Turkish Cypriots acquired Turkish passports for this purpose, others remained isolated from the rest of the world. Although Turkish Cypriots are constitutionally recognised as founding partners of the Republic of Cyprus, their ability to obtain Republic of Cyprus citizenship was limited before 2003. Nowadays, access to citizenship of the Republic of Cyprus is possible through descent, but it still requires an application, meaning it is not automatic.
The Republic of Cyprus’s accession to the European Union in 2004 further encouraged Turkish Cypriots—including children from mixed marriages—to apply for and obtain Cypriot citizenship. Until 2007, these applications were generally accepted. However, in 2007, a new policy introduced by the Council of Ministers restricted access to citizenship for certain children of mixed marriages, marking the beginning of what is now known as the ‘mixed marriage problem’. Children’s right to citizenship is overshadowed by the political conflicts in Cyprus.
What is the ‘Mixed Marriage Problem’ in Cyprus?
The ‘mixed marriage problem’ refers to the situation in which children born in Cyprus to a parent who is a Cypriot citizen and a parent who does not hold Cypriot citizenship, and who entered Cyprus through ‘illegal’ channels or resided there unlawfully after the events of 1974, face challenges obtaining Cypriot citizenship.
What does “arriving/residing in Cyprus illegally” mean?
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, ‘arriving or residing in Cyprus illegally’ means entering the island without passing through the ports of entry of the Republic of Cyprus, for example, entering the island without a Republic of Cyprus visa, or residing in the northern part of the island, which is outside the effective control of the Republic of Cyprus.
According to the Civil Registry Law of the Republic of Cyprus, every child has the right to obtain Cypriot citizenship if one of their parents is a Cypriot citizen at the time of their birth. However, this provision does not automatically apply if the entry of the foreign parent was unlawful. In such cases, the citizenship application must first be reviewed by the Council of Ministers.
However, following the Council of Ministers' decisions enacted in February 2007, specific criteria were introduced, and applications from children who could not meet these new conditions were no longer considered eligible.
The Ombudsperson of the Republic of Cyprus published a report in 2011, which shed a light on government policies regarding this issue explaining that:
"Only the citizenship applications of the following individuals will be accepted by the Council of Ministers:
- Children born on or before July 20, 1974,
- Children whose mother or father is not a Turkish citizen but is a citizen of another country (if the parent is an EU citizen or a citizen of another country with reciprocal agreements, the child may apply for citizenship),
- Children of parents who were married either abroad or in Cyprus before July 20, 1974,
- Children born to a Cypriot and Turkish citizen who has no connection to the 1974 events,
- Children of parents living in the mixed village of Pyla."
The Impact of Citizenship Denial
It is important to clarify that the ‘mixed marriage problem’ has not always resulted in statelessness. Children of mixed marriages—particularly those with a Turkish Cypriot parent and a Turkish parent—have technically had the option to obtain Turkish citizenship through their Turkish parent. However, this option has become increasingly unviable for some, especially the younger generation. Several vocal Turkish Cypriots who have publicly supported peace and reunification in Cyprus have been banned from entering Türkiye or have faced criminal charges. I, too, have personally experienced the consequences: after expressing support for reunification on social media, I was subjected to coordinated attacks by Turkish social media users. Since then, I have felt unsafe to travel to Türkiye, fearing that I, like others before me, could be denied entry, and could be at risk of statelessness.
Moreover, many of us have never even lived in Türkiye. We were born and raised in Cyprus. Some of us don’t identify with Türkiye culturally, socially, or politically. So, while Turkish citizenship may exist as a legal technicality, it does not represent a meaningful or acceptable solution for those of us who are deeply rooted in Cyprus and wish to participate fully in its society and civic life. The real issue is not just about legal nationality, it is about recognition, identity, and the fundamental right to belong in the only home we have ever known.
In practice, access to Cypriot citizenship by naturalisation is extremely difficult for children from mixed marriages. For individuals like me, who do not hold a recognised citizenship, this option appears inaccessible. Even for those who do hold another nationality, eligibility for naturalisation still requires legal residence and employment in areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus—not in the northern part of the island. This makes the process especially challenging for minors, who cannot work or easily relocate. For adults over 18, naturalisation is technically possible but remains burdensome and uncertain.
Within the Turkish Cypriot community, the idea of naturalising children born and raised in Cyprus—who consider the island their home—often meets resistance. Many view it as an alienating and unjust expectation, as it implies that these individuals are foreigners in their own country.
Other Children Affected By Statelessness in Cyprus
While this issue initially came to light in the context of children of Turkish Cypriots and Turkish people who reside in the north of Cyprus (also referred to as ‘settlers’), the problem has since extended to include other communities. Children born to Greek Cypriot citizens and asylum seekers or foreign nationals from countries such as Cameroon, Congo, or Syria living in Cyprus are also being denied their right to citizenship. In such cases, even when the Cypriot parent is the one applying, birth registration is often denied due to the nationality or immigration status of the foreign parent.
Current Developments
Until 2013, during the governments of Presidents Papadopoulos and Christofias, there was a political climate that allowed applications from individuals meeting the 2007 criteria to be processed. In contrast, during the presidency of Mr. Anastasiades (2013–2023), the government adopted a more restrictive approach, and even children from mixed marriages who fulfilled the criteria were not considered by the Council of Ministers. While the Council is the formal decision-making body, the overall stance of the government in power—especially its approach to the Cyprus problem and views on Turkish Cypriots—has influenced how such applications are treated. In January 2024, the current president, Mr. Christodoulides, introduced a 14-point proposal concerning Turkish Cypriots, and since then, applications have begun to be reassessed in accordance with the 2007 decision.
What Can Be Done Next?
While the steps taken by Mr. Christodoulides mark meaningful progress, the core issue of the ‘mixed marriage problem’ remains unresolved. The 2007 Council of Ministers decision continues to discriminate against children of mixed marriages based on the legal status of their parents. Supporters of this decision—often from far-right circles—argue that granting citizenship to these children would ‘legitimise the ongoing occupation by Türkiye.’ However, it is important to note that citizenship was granted to children of mixed marriages prior to 2007 without raising such concerns. If it did not constitute legitimisation then, it is inconsistent to claim that it would now.
To ensure fairness, this 2007 decision must be amended. Doing so would restore the citizenship application system to its pre-2007 status, where all applications from children of mixed marriages were accepted and assessed individually by the Council of Ministers.
We also recognise that, in the absence of a comprehensive resolution to the Cyprus conflict, granting automatic citizenship to all children of mixed marriages may raise concerns among some sectors of society. However, this does not justify blanket exclusion. Such concerns cannot justify a discriminatory system that collectively penalises children for the legal status of one of their parents. The fundamental rights of children must be upheld by the Council of Ministers, regardless of geopolitical tensions.
Criteria for assessing citizenship applications after they have been received by the Council of Ministers could include demonstrable and ongoing ties to the Republic of Cyprus, such as proficiency in both official languages—Turkish and Greek—at a B2 level, meaningful civic engagement, or active involvement in bicommunal or community initiatives that foster mutual understanding and bring the two communities closer together under the framework of the Republic. These criteria aim to acknowledge a lived and substantive connection to the country, without denying individuals their rightful access to citizenship based solely on political factors beyond their control.
Our organisation advocates for a more forward-looking approach. Our aim is to ensure that decisions taken by the Council of Ministers are more inclusive and do not alienate mixed marriage children based on the legal status of their parents, enabling them to more fully integrate into the fabric of the Republic.
Conclusion
We believe that finding a solution to the mixed marriage problem through open dialogue and cooperation with the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus can serve as a catalyst for broader reconciliation. Addressing this issue fairly and humanely will not only restore trust in institutions but also bring the two communities closer, socially, legally, and politically. By promoting inclusive policies, the Republic can demonstrate its commitment to justice and unity. Our organisation stands ready to engage constructively with all relevant stakeholders in the Republic of Cyprus to find sustainable, rights-based solutions. In doing so, we can contribute not only to resolving a long-standing human rights issue but also to paving the way for a more united, peaceful future for the island.
If you want more information about the ‘mixed marriage problem’ and our association, you can reach out to us here: https://linktr.ee/karmaevlilik
