Lawyers call for end to British sovereignty over Akrotiri and Dhekelia bases

The European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights and the Cyprus Association of Democratic Lawyers have called for an end to British claims over the Akrotiri and Dhekelia military base areas in Cyprus.

In a joint statement, the organizations called these bases a "colonial remnant and a violation of the sovereignty of the Cypriot people," emphasizing that more than 60 years after gaining independence, Cyprus remains only partially decolonized.

According to them, the placement of the bases was imposed in 1960 as a condition for granting independence from the UK, allowing London to maintain control over part of the island's territory for military and strategic purposes.

The lawyers also challenge the UK's position that Akrotiri and Dhekelia are sovereign British territory, stating that this agreement was concluded under pressure and cannot be considered the result of free consent.

The statement notes that international law, including the UN General Assembly resolution on decolonization, prohibits the division of a colony's territory during the process of obtaining independence.

The organizations also warned that the use of the bases for military operations by third countries could draw Cyprus into international conflicts and jeopardize its territorial security.

The lawyers urged Cypriot authorities to raise the issue at an international level to achieve complete decolonization of the island and demand the cessation of British claims to the base territories and their return to Cyprus.