Regimentally mandatory, military service in Northern Cyprus does not only cover citizens of that state but any male who was born from a Turkish Cypriot woman or a man anywhere in the world. Whether or not males from the huge Turkish Cypriot diaspora want to become TRNC citizens, any male between the age of 18-49 is under obligation to do military service. This strictly kept but anachronistic law has created a major problem for males who were born abroad from either a Turkish Cypriot father or a mother and is considered as one of the major obstacles to them settling or taking their holiday in Northern Cyprus. For the majority of the world’s Turkish Cypriots who reside in the UK, this can cause unnecessary burdens and delays upon their return from North Cyprus. One example brought to our attention is that of a young Turkish Cypriot businessman who lives in London and has two very successful businesses. The businessman who wishes to remain anonymous forwarded a dramatic letter to our Turkish section, recounting how could not attend his own grand parents funeral held in Northern Cyprus, due to his military service obligations. Despite begging the authorities for leniency over such a sensitive issue, he did not receive a response from them and would have to do 16 month service if he wanted to visit his grand parents graves. Looking for a panacea to the obstacle, the businessman said that it is not fair for him to leave his wife and baby and also to abandon his businesses and spend 16 months in service. | 
Memo Husseyin - London
