British Residents Lobby Group (BRLG)

We would like to provide you with an update on matters relating the British Residents Lobby Group and our thoughts moving forwards over the coming months.

Since the summer of 2025, activities were limited due to the impending TRNC Presidential election that took place in October 2025.  A new President, Tufan Erhuman, was elected based on a focus for equal sovereignty for Turkish Cypriots.  In what political framework and constitutional model this may take is somewhat unclear.  Nonetheless, the key message to the outside world at this moment in time and one that aligns with the BRLG is to alleviate the discrimination faced by all those who reside in the TRNC (Turkish Cypriots and foreigners) in free travel and trade and representation on the international stage in the fields of politics, sport, culture, education and the like.

The BRLG supports the efforts of two groups – ‘Young Turkish Cypriots' (YTC) and ‘Turkish Cypriots Exist' (TCE) – both predominately use all forms of social media to get their message across.  Then there is the Freedom and Fairness Group (a BRS sponsor) who are working behind the scenes in lobbying politicians, senior officials, the press/media in making sure the Cyprus Issue remains valid on various governments' agendas.

The BRLG efforts in the past have contributed to a significant number of UK parliamentarians knowing that the Cyprus Issue is not one-sided and that there is genuine discontent with the approach of successive UK governments over the years on their reluctance to treat Turkish Cypriots fairly – based on their alignment with United Nations Resolutions.  What we have learnt is that UK government foreign policy is very rigid and does not allow for independent thinking.  

In terms of realities on the ground, since the summer of 2025, there is an ‘uneasiness' in the relations between the two sides.  From a British national point of view, news of foreign nationals involved in the construction and estate agency sectors being arrested does not breed confidence, TRNC solicitors concerned about crossing the checkpoints/border in fear of being arrested, international arrest warrants issued on Turkish Cypriots and other foreign nationals who reside or do business in the TRNC.  The verbal feedback we receive of how some British nationals are treated at Larnaca Airport and the constant difficulties and obstructions to simply crossing the checkpoints/border.  This is all designed to strangle the TRNC and put off future foreign nationals wanting to reside and/or work here in the TRNC.

In recent months headlines about the Cyprus Issue appear to be dominated by military strength and strengthening, regional alliances, Greek Cypriot fascism and their Navy wanting to dock in Girne and Magusa ports!  Add to this their continual love of EOKA and celebrating their past achievements.  There is no let-up in the Greek Cypriot's own lobbying juggernauts (with one clear focus – to suffocate any form of freedoms by Turkish Cypriots) which has been boosted by the Greek Cypriots assuming the EU Presidency.  We question how any of this can lead to good neighbourly relations.

As matters stand, we are waiting to see what happens next.  Presumably the United Nations will try to encourage both parties to get back to the negotiation table.  On what basis – difficult to tell, again we can only assume on a federal basis due to the wishes of the United Nations and the UK government which is ironic given that the Greek Cypriots themselves have twice rejected federal models, once in the 2004 Annan Plan referendum and then walked away from a federal model solution in Crans Montana in 2017.  Regardless of what may or may not happen and proposed constitutional models, as ever, we will be watching all new developments closely and remain committed to working with our partner lobby groups to ensure a fairer future for all TRNC residents.