The Parliamentary Committee on Refugees will propose a law to address the problems faced by refugees who built on state land many years ago, with a view to its adoption in the next Plenary Session of the Parliament, following the discussion that took place during the first part of today's session.
According to the Chairman of the Committee and AKEL MP Nikos Kettiros, in December 2023, an amendment to the legislation on securitization in settlements was passed by the Parliament, including a provision for cases where, although the state had indicated that refugee housing be built, they were not recognized as settlements or self-housing and therefore had no right to title.
He added that with the amendment, it was decided that the beneficiaries would receive a lease certificate, however, the process has not progressed a year and a half later, and the beneficiaries have not even been notified.
The representative of the Land Registry Department of the Ministry of Interior, Kyprianos Elissaiou, said that the registration of refugees living on state land outside settlements has been completed.
He added that the refugees in question do not have lease agreements, as the legislation only allows for the registration of a lease agreement and not the granting of a lease outside settlements. He added that since the case concerns state land protected by the Constitution, there must be approval from the political superior, i.e. the competent Minister.
DIKO MP Zacharias Koulias suggested that, in order to overcome the problem that arose, a bill be prepared by the committee in a way that would allow leasing, while his DIKO colleague Christos Senekis said that state agencies should report if the law does not serve its purpose.
Finally, Mr. Kettiros said that a bill will be submitted by the committee with the intention of going to the Plenary Session of the Parliament next Thursday after consultation with the Ministry of Interior.
Representatives of the affected refugees stated in their own brief intervention that after 50 years of ownership, they have the right to a title deed and not just a lease, with the members of the committee considering their concerns fair and speaking of a lack of understanding between the services and the Parliament.
Source: KYPE
