Cyprus

Cyprus is divided into the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus, a de facto state only recognized by Turkey, and the Republic of Cyprus (RoC), which is recognized by the international community. The RoC upholds its claim to sovereignty by denying documents proving citizenship to people of Turkish descent. Anyone living in North Cyprus who is ethnically Turkish, through a Turkish parent or grandparent, is excluded from documents proving Cypriot citizenship. This contravenes domestic law, which holds that any child of at least one parent with RoC citizenship is also a citizen. A 2018 submission to the UPR noted that the RoC had a policy of excluding settlers transferred from mainland Turkey to alter the demographic structure of Cyprus. The RoC has received observations from multiple treaty bodies and the UPR regarding discrimination against Cypriots of Turkish origin. For example, the 2024 UPR recommended that the state apply legislative provisions relating to nationality without discrimination.