It is said that where you grow up defines who you are and shapes your identity. Indeed, growing up in Cyprus has extremely influenced my aspirations and aims in life. A country that has been tormented by International Humanitarian issues since the Turkish invasion of 1974, with the UN still investigating 1600 cases of missing persons and with Turkey repeatedly denying to implement the largest ever judgement of the European Court of Human Rights on paying compensation to the victims of the invasion, makes my interest in studying International Law more than...
It is said that where you grow up defines who you are and shapes your identity. Indeed, growing up in Cyprus has extremely influenced my aspirations and aims in life. A country that has been tormented by International Humanitarian issues since the Turkish invasion of 1974, with the UN still investigating 1600 cases of missing persons and with Turkey repeatedly denying to implement the largest ever judgement of the European Court of Human Rights on paying compensation to the victims of the invasion, makes my interest in studying International Law more than profound. Furthermore, seeing the failed negotiations between Greek-Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots making the headlights of everyday news and with Turkey’s unacceptable recent violation of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), my passion and interest in continuing my studies in the area of International Law is what I want to do with my future. I am a strong believer that studying law armours you with so much knowledge that it will be a shame not to use that knowledge to make an impact. Therefore, after I further develop my education in International Law hopefully at a doctoral level, I want to research how International Law can be enforced and implemented, for example, how can Cyprus deal with Turkey’s violations of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea since Turkey did not ratify or sign the Treaty and thus be able to advise or even participate in negotiations on resolving such issues. Similarly, one of my life-long dreams would be to help restore and administer justice to the victims of the invasion of 1974, and studying International Law will indeed help me try in achieving this.