Uganda’s constitutional court refused to annul or suspend an anti-LGBTQ law that includes the death penalty for certain same-sex acts, but voided some provisions that were inconsistent with certain fundamental human rights.
Fact: MPs called for more transparency over the social support fund managed by the First Lady during a House ethics committee meeting.
Large quantities of medication, potentially worth millions of euros, were destroyed in a Health Ministry storage facility in Nicosia due to flooding caused by extreme rainfall and hailstorm. The incident occurred on Green Monday, March 18, prompting the removal of thousands more packages to prevent further damage. The health ministry is assessing the extent of the damages, with concerns over possible shortages for patients. Health Minister Michalis Damianou denied any attempt to conceal the incident and attributed it to unpredictable weather, describing it as an “act of God.” An ad hoc committee of pharmacologists has been established to address the damages and take inventory of the affected medicines. The incident is reminiscent of a previous flooding at the Finance Ministry’s basement that knocked out government servers and websites for several days.
Fact: The Cyprus church is ignoring government warnings about illegal monastery-building works in the environmentally-protected Cape Greco area.
The point of contention regarding the development of the Aphrodite gas field off the coast of Cyprus has been overcome, according to Energy Minister George Papanastasiou. The plan for extraction of gas from the Aphrodite field will continue based on the agreed development and production plan from 2019. The government wants to respond as soon as possible to start planning the joint venture with Chevron. Discussions on the matter have been exhausted, and Chevron understands that gas extraction will be based on the 2019 plan. There is an ongoing dispute with Israel over “plot 12” connected to the Aphrodite field, but the Energy Minister believes the differences should be closed in the next three months. The CEO of Italian company Eni has requested a visit to Cyprus this month to discuss the development and production plan for the Kronos I and Kronos II fields.
The education ministry announced the extension of the operation hours of afternoon and summer schools to support working parents. Optional afternoon schools will start in September and conclude at the end of June, while summer schools will open on the first Monday after the closure of regular schools and remain operational until the end of July. Children with disabilities will be provided with educational assistants during the summer months. The extension of afternoon schools will cost the government over €1 million.
Hong Kong will now allow transgender individuals who have not undergone full sex reassignment surgery to change their gender on their ID cards. The new policy comes after a court ruling in February that deemed the previous requirement a violation of transgender rights. The revised criteria include surgical and hormonal requirements, which some activists find too extreme and a violation of individuals’ rights.
Ersin Tatar, the Turkish Cypriot leader, stated that negotiations will not begin without acceptance of sovereign equality and equal international status. He emphasized that talks will not start from where they left off in Crans Montana and clarified that reports of proposals from the UN Secretary-General do not correspond to reality. Tatar also mentioned consultations with Turkey and reiterated the need to lift isolation and embargoes imposed on Turkish Cypriots. He expressed opposition to resolution 186 of 1964 and emphasized the support of Turkey in their policy.
The Ministerial Council has approved the National Investment Plan for Water Projects in Cyprus. The plan focuses on implementing a comprehensive water policy that addresses new data and meets the needs for water supply and irrigation. The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment will coordinate and monitor the plan’s implementation. The plan includes prioritizing projects based on documented needs, better allocation of water resources, nationwide distribution to meet needs, and improved implementation of wastewater system construction. The total budget for the plan is €1.17 billion, with first-priority projects estimated at €721.8 million and completion targeted for 2024-2029. Another 60 projects are under evaluation, estimated at €445.5 million, with start and completion dates in 2025 and 2030.
The Ministerial Council has authorized the Ministers of Health and Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment to allow the passage of processed non-animal origin products, such as coffee and frozen vegetables, through crossing points. This decision is part of a package of 14 measures aimed at improving conditions for Turkish Cypriots, including expanding the list of goods permitted under the Green Line Regulation.