President: Children’s rights must come before politics

In a written statement, he said he was working on problems affecting children across communities, including Maronites, Greek Cypriot pupils in Karpaz and children born to mixed marriages.

Erhürman highlighted visa difficulties that prevented students from taking up places and scholarships abroad, and stopped athletes and cultural groups from travelling.

One student, he said, received their visa on September 1 but lost both their place and scholarship because they could not reach their institution that day.

He said such irreversible consequences explained why children’s rights were a priority, while stressing that other grievances also remained on his agenda.

Responding to criticism over citizenship rights for children born to mixed marriages, Erhürman said those rights should not depend on their parents’ views on a Cyprus settlement, property issues or political terminology.

He rejected suggestions that he must use the term “Republic of Cyprus” before raising the issue, noting that he had never required the Greek Cypriot leader to say “TRNC” before addressing problems at the Greek Cypriot school in Karpaz.

Defending his social media engagement, Erhürman called for greater empathy and reasoned debate, saying society could not remain silent while the loudest voices dominated without considering the impact of their words.