Controversial Bill Under Review in Northern Cyprus: Authorities Propose Limits on Personal Travel

A new, controversial bill has been submitted to the TRNC Parliament, which aims to severely restrict citizens' freedom to travel in their own vehicles. The proposed legislation would classify frequent travel along the same route as a criminal offense.

According to Kibris Postasi, the amendments to the law concerning passenger and freight transport by road propose penalties, including up to six months in prison or a fine, for individuals who travel on specific routes three times a week. The bill is part of an initiative to prevent illegal transportation activities.

Under the proposed rules, drivers who travel the same route three times a week could face either a six-month prison sentence or a fine.

Private vehicles, without the proper permits for transporting passengers, would be prohibited from making more than two round trips in one direction with different passengers in areas where there are air, land, or sea entry points. The bill also bans traveling the same route more than once a day or more than three round trips in one direction per week.

The bill stipulates that anyone traveling with a passenger along the same route twice in one day or three times a week would be considered in violation of the law. Offenders could face fines up to twice the minimum wage or a six-month prison sentence, or both.

The government plans to track vehicle movements through radar and surveillance cameras. The bill also allows for anonymous reports to be submitted to the police.

Critics of the bill warn that its implementation could seriously infringe on the freedom of movement for law-abiding citizens.

It is still unclear when the bill will be debated or what its ultimate fate will be.