Turkey Convicted of Violating Property Rights

The European Court of Human Rights found Turkey guilty in Ayangil case, where the authorities had built a primary school on land Ayangil family owned without formally expropriating it and without awarding them compensation. Turkey was ordered to pay 180,000 euros for  pecuniary damages.

The case concerned the family’s complaint that the authorities had built a primary school on land Ayangil family owned in the Incesu neighbourhood of Ankara without formally expropriating it and without awarding them compensation in 1967. 

The issue arose as the family’s 2-story house in 480 meter-square area was left in the backyard of the school. 

The family abandoned the house in 1967 without any compensation. 

In 2001, Ankara Assize Court ordered for compensation, a verdict overturned by Turkey’s Supreme Court of Appeals. 

Upon that, the family applied to ECHR which found Turkey guilty of violating Protocol 1 Article 1 of the Convention. 

Issued yesterday, the court verdict orders Turkey to pay 180,000 euros as pecuniary damages according to Convention Article 41. (NV/BM)

Click here to read the original article in Turkish.