Three urgent resolutions concerning Cyprus, Rwanda and Togo were approved today by the European Parliament, while characterizing as “illegal and politically motivated” the detention of five Greek Cypriot citizens in the occupied territories (Antonis Loukas, Andreas Kyprianos, Anni Kyprianos, Niki Grigoriou and Grigoris Grigoriou) since July 2025 following their visit to the village of Galateia to search for their ancestral properties.
Parliament: detention of Greek Cypriots in occupied territories
The parliamentary resolutions approved on Thursday (11/09) are as follows:
- MEPs condemn once again Turkey’s continued illegal occupation of northern Cyprus and the illegal detention of five Greek Cypriots
- Parliament also denounces “the occupation regime’s indifference to any notion of justice as well as the attempted kidnapping and hostage-taking of Greek Cypriots” and calls for potential EU sanctions to be examined
- In separate resolutions, Parliament calls for the immediate release of Victoire Ingabire in Rwanda and political prisoners in Togo, including Abdul Aziz Goma
It is noted that Parliament calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the Greek Cypriot hostages. Although three of them were released under conditions on September 10, they remain in the occupied territories and cannot return to their homes, MEPs added. Furthermore, the resolution condemns once again Turkey’s continued illegal occupation of the northern part of Cyprus for 51 years and denounces it as a “serious violation of international law and obstacle to peace, stability and European-Turkish relations”. Parliament also condemns “the occupation regime’s indifference to any notion of justice as well as the attempted kidnapping and hostage-taking of Greek Cypriots for escalating intimidation, as well as for targeting and influencing those who attempt to visit their ancestral properties or resort to the ‘Immovable Property Commission’ in the occupied areas”. Finally, MEPs emphasize that the EU has a moral and legal duty to support the Republic of Cyprus and its citizens, who are also European citizens, and call on the Commission and the European External Action Service to take all necessary measures, including considering potential sanctions. The resolution was approved with 597 votes in favor, none against and 5 abstentions.
Parliament on Rwanda and Togo
Meanwhile, Parliament condemns in a separate resolution the ongoing trial of Victoire Ingabire in Rwanda that has been marred by serious irregularities and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the Rwandan opposition leader and president of the Dalfa-Umurinzi party. In the same context, it expresses serious concern about a series of issues related to freedom of expression and assembly, justice and democracy in general, calling on the European Commission to reconsider its assistance, financial and otherwise, to entities involved in arbitrary detentions, torture or unfair trials. The resolution was approved with 549 votes in favor, 2 against and 41 abstentions. Additionally, Irish-Togolese citizen Abdul Aziz Goma who is arbitrarily detained in Togo must be released immediately and unconditionally, MEPs say in a third resolution, underlining the findings of the UN working group on arbitrary detention and the UN committee against torture. The resolution was approved by show of hands.
The full texts of the resolutions will be available soon on Parliament’s website (11/9/25). Watch recorded plenary debates (10/9/2025).
