Interim Resolution CM/ResDH(2026)37
Execution of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights
Varnava and Others against Turkey
(Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 11 March 2026
at the 1553rd meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies)
Application No.
Case
Judgment of
Final on
16064/90+
VARNAVA AND OTHERS
18/09/2009
Grand Chamber
The Committee of Ministers, under the terms of Article 46, paragraph 2, of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (hereinafter “the Convention”);
Recalling that in its judgment of 18 September 2009 the European Court of Human Rights held that the respondent State was to pay before 18 December 2009, 12,000 euros per application in respect of non-pecuniary damage suffered by the relatives of nine missing Greek Cypriots and 8,000 euros per application in respect of costs and expenses;
Deeply deploring that to date, despite three interim resolutions adopted in this case, in 2013, 2014 and 2022, and the letters sent by the Committee’s Chairperson and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, in 2014 and 2016, the Turkish authorities have not complied with their unconditional obligation to pay the amounts awarded by the Court to the applicants;
Recalling that in its last interim resolution, the Committee expressed profound concern that prolonged delays in fulfilling this obligation not only prevent the individual victims from receiving compensation for the damage suffered by them, but also constitute a flagrant disrespect of Türkiye’s international obligations, both as a High Contracting Party to the Convention and as a member State of the Council of Europe;
Noting the comments provided by the Turkish authorities relating to the just satisfaction (documents
DH-DD(2026)1 and DH-DD(2026)263);
Underlining again the humanitarian nature of the just satisfaction awarded in respect of the non-pecuniary damage suffered by the relatives of the missing persons concerned by this case;
FIRMLY REITERATED its insistence on Türkiye’s unconditional obligation under Article 46, paragraph 1, of the Convention to pay the just satisfaction awarded by the Court;
EXPRESSED ITS PROFOUND CONCERN that the continued delays to fulfil this obligation deprives the individual victims from receiving the compensation awarded by the Court in their case and is in flagrant disrespect with Türkiye’s international obligations, both as a High Contracting Party to the Convention and as a member State to the Council of Europe;
EXHORTED AGAIN the Turkish authorities to abide by their obligations and pay the just satisfaction, together with the default interest accrued, without further delay;
DECIDED TO RESUME CONSIDERATION of this issue at the next examination of the case of Varnava v. Turkey.