Child Soldiers Global Report 2004 - Cyprus
| Publisher | Child Soldiers International |
| Publication Date | 2004 |
| Cite as | Child Soldiers International, Child Soldiers Global Report 2004 - Cyprus, 2004, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4988066421.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Republic of Cyprus
Covers the period from April 2001 to March 2004.
Population: 796,000 (215,000 under 18)
Government armed forces: 10,000
Compulsory recruitment age: 18
Voluntary recruitment age: 17 (not confirmed)
Voting age: 21
Optional Protocol: not signed
Other treaties ratified (see glossary): CRC, GC AP I and II, ICC, ILO 138, ILO 182
The minimum voluntary recruitment age was believed to be 17, but it was not known whether under-18s were serving in the armed forces.
Context
Cyprus has been divided since 1974. The northern part, named the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, remains occupied by Turkish armed forces. It is not recognized internationally as a separate state from the Republic of Cyprus, the southern part. A buffer zone patrolled by the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) separates the two parts.1
Government
National recruitment legislation and practice
The constitution provides for conscription, stating that "No person shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour", but that this shall not include "any service of a military character if imposed or, in case of conscientious objectors, subject to their recognition by a law, service exacted instead of compulsory military service" (Article 10).2
The legal basis for conscription is the 1961 Military Service Law. Under legislation relating to the National Guard, all male citizens and persons of Cypriot descent on the male side (including all those who have a Cypriot father even if they do not themselves have Cypriot citizenship) are liable for military service between the ages of 18 and 50. The normal length of service is 26 months.3 Since 1990 women have been allowed to join the National Guard as volunteers. The minimum age for voluntary recruitment is believed to be 17.
Military training and military schools
No information was available on military training and schools.
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Population: 190,0004
Government armed forces: not known
Compulsory recruitment age: 19
Voluntary recruitment age: 17
Voting age: 18
Treaties ratified: not applicable
The minimum voluntary recruitment age was 17, but it was not known whether under-18s were serving in the armed forces.
Government
National recruitment legislation and practice
Under the constitution, all citizens are liable for military service: "National service in the armed forces shall be the right and sacred duty of every citizen" (Article 74).5
The legal basis for conscription is the Military Service Law (Law No. 59/2000). Under the law, all citizens are liable for compulsory military service from the age of 19. The length of service ranges from eight months to 15 months. Those considered Turkish Cypriot citizens because of their parents' origin and who reside abroad may qualify for shorter terms. Recruits planning to go into university education may defer or bring forward their service. The minimum age for voluntary recruitment is 17 provided that the recruit has parental consent (Article 18).
There are no military schools in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.6
1 From US Department of State, Background Note: Cyprus, May 2004, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5376.htm.
2 Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus, http://www.kypros.org/Constitution.
3 Information from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, http://www.mfa.gov.cy (Army Recruitment Matters).
4 The Statesman's Yearbook 2004, ed. Barry Turner, Palgrave Macmillan, 2003.
5 Constitution of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, http://www.trncpresidency.org/constitution.htm.
6 Information from Office of the Representative of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, London, 2004.
