justice

Absence of trust in justice

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Absence of trust in justice

A poll by Phileleftheros, conducted by Pulse Market Research, found that the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General do not satisfy citizens with their work, with only 29% of citizens responding positively about the Attorney General and 24% about the Deputy Attorney General. In contrast, 71% of citizens are satisfied with the work of the Auditor General. The poll also indicated that the negative stance towards the Attorney General is consistent across all party lines, with 51% of DISY voters, 66% of AKEL voters, and 61% of DIKO voters expressing a negative opinion. The President of the Republic has expressed intentions for institutional changes in the Audit Office, which has been met with immediate reaction from Odysseas Michaelides, the Auditor General. Additionally, the European Social Survey conducted by the University of Cyprus showed that the levels of trust in Justice are low, with an average of 4.39 out of 10.

After EU court ruling, Isotita calls for civil service changes

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After EU court ruling, Isotita calls for civil service changes

A recent judgment by the EU’s Court of Justice (CJEU) could allow thousands of civil servants on fixed-term employment to become permanent workers, according to the Isotita union. The union has urged the government to make these employees permanent, following the CJEU’s judgment on February 22, which ruled that the indefinite extension of fixed-term employment contracts without a vacancy notice is an abuse that member states must prevent. The CJEU stated that simple compensation for unfair dismissal or awarding posts through competitions are not sufficient measures to prevent such abuses. The judgment implies that converting temporary contracts into permanent ones could be a necessary measure to address the issue. Isotita has reminded the government of the president’s pre-election promises regarding employment conditions and has called for immediate action to comply with EU law by making all affected workers permanent.

Oldest Greek Cypriot diaspora group sends resolution to UK PM

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Oldest Greek Cypriot diaspora group sends resolution to UK PM

The Greek Cypriot Brotherhood, during its annual general meeting, approved a resolution addressed to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak concerning the Cyprus issue. The resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus, describing it as a failure of international diplomacy and a violation of international law and human rights. It calls on the UK government to remain committed to its obligations to Cyprus as per international and European law, especially in light of a new impetus from the appointment of a personal envoy of the UNSG for Cyprus. The resolution emphasizes the UK’s special role regarding Cyprus, urges the UK to send a message to Turkey similar to its response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and calls for the reversal of divisive actions, implementation of UN resolutions, and support for UN efforts to resume negotiations for a solution that would enable the peaceful coexistence of religions. The resolution is signed by the Greek Cypriot Brotherhood President Aris Charalambides and Secretary Andreas Karaolis.

Eyes on , ‘MP’ in north’s fake diploma scandal

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Eyes on , ‘MP’ in north’s fake diploma scandal

The scandal involving “fake diplomas” in the north’s education sector continues to unfold, focusing on UBP MP Emrah Yesilirmak and the authenticity of his business administration degree from Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University (KSTU). MPs in the north have immunity from criminal proceedings with certain exceptions, but this does not prevent investigations. The Cyprus Massachusetts Centre of Innovation is linked to a criminal network involving forged student visas, leading to several arrests. The north’s higher education accreditation authority (Yodak)’s deputy chairman, Hasan Amca, takes charge amid criminal proceedings against its chairman, Turgay Avci, and former board member Mehmet Hasguler, both arrested for accepting under-the-table payments during KSTU’s accreditation process. Senior judge Gokhan Asafogullari is investigating Avci’s conduct.

US Senator Menendez to be arraigned on obstruction of justice charges

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US Senator Menendez to be arraigned on obstruction of justice charges

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez is scheduled for arraignment on Monday on a new indictment for obstruction of justice related to his upcoming corruption trial. The indictment accuses him of using his former lawyers to falsely inform federal prosecutors that payments made for his wife were loans, not bribes. Menendez, who has previously pleaded not guilty to charges of accepting bribes and acting as an agent for Egypt, has labeled the new charges as false. He temporarily stepped down from his role as chair of the Senate’s foreign relations committee after being charged last year. Menendez, his wife Nadine, and businessmen Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, who have all pleaded not guilty, will go on trial on May 6.

Cyprus citizenship applications in limbo

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Cyprus citizenship applications in limbo

Cyprus has updated its citizenship requirements, mandating language tests for naturalization. Due to unresolved details about these tests, no new citizenship applications are currently being processed. The law, amended in December, requires applicants to demonstrate knowledge of the Greek language at either the B1 or A2 level, depending on their application status. Additionally, some applicants must show understanding of Cyprus’s political and social reality through a history and culture test. An ad-hoc committee evaluates these tests. Highly skilled foreign workers can obtain citizenship after residing in Cyprus for four to five years, with the requirement of passing a Greek language test at the B1 or A2 level, respectively; no history/culture test is required for them. Implementation delays have caused frustration among potential applicants. The European Blue Card scheme, aimed at attracting highly skilled workers to the EU, has also been approved by the cabinet.

Government reshuffle received positively by citizens, survey shows

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Government reshuffle received positively by citizens, survey shows

President Christodoulides’ cabinet reshuffle on January 8 received mixed reactions, with a public opinion survey indicating majority support for five out of six changes. The survey, conducted by Pulse Market Research for Phileleftheros, found that 26% of respondents thought the changes were needed, 48% saw them as necessary, 10% disagreed, and 16% did not respond. DISY supporters mostly favored the reshuffle, with DIKO and AKEL supporters also showing significant support for some changes. The replacement of Michalis Hatzigiannis, Anna Koukides-Procopiou, Popi Kanari, Petros Xenophontos, and Philippos Chatzizacharias was generally supported, except for the removal of Defence Minister Michalis Georgallas, which faced opposition from 44% of respondents. The survey had a sample size of 600, covered nationwide urban and rural areas, used random-stratified multistage sampling, and was conducted via telephone interviews from February 20 to 26, 2024.

Trafficking numbers far worse than reports suggest

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Trafficking numbers far worse than reports suggest

Cyprus is reporting a decrease in human sex trafficking, but stakeholders claim police investigations are inadequate. Androula Christophidou Henriques, founder of Cyprus Stop Trafficking NGO, criticizes the current trafficking department’s lack of initiative. Between 2019 and 2022, Cyprus had 98 trafficking victims, with 33 cases related to sexual exploitation. The closure of cabarets in 2010 and COVID-19 restrictions have reduced sex trafficking activities, according to Henriques. Rita Superman, a Disy MP and former head of the police anti-trafficking department, believes the actual number of trafficking cases is higher than reported. The interior ministry plans to intensify inspections to prevent trafficking. Concerns about underreporting and institutional racism in handling trafficking cases have been raised by Dr. Nasia Hadjigeorgiou, who notes low prosecution numbers and inadequate victim interviews. Police cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is minimal, affecting victim support. The US Department of State’s 2023 report places Cyprus in Tier 1 for compliance with trafficking standards but notes failures in victim referral and identification. The report also highlights the vulnerability of certain groups to trafficking and the government’s shortcomings in convicting traffickers and compensating victims. Efforts to combat human sexual trafficking in Cyprus intensified after the 2010 European Court of Human Rights decision in the case of Oxana Rantseva, leading to criminalization of human trafficking in Cyprus and Russia, and changes to Cypriot visa rules.

Monks were , ‘violently kidnapped’ by 30 men

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Monks were , ‘violently kidnapped’ by 30 men

Two monks, Archimandrite Nektarios and Archimandrite Porfirios, embroiled in allegations involving sex and nearly €1 million in cash, have claimed they are victims of corruption between the police and church. Their lawyers, Adrianna Klaedes and Nikolaos Koulouris, allege the monks were kidnapped from the Osiou Avakoum monastery in Fterikoudes by a group of about 30 people, 10 of whom were hooded, and were forced to sign false confessions. The operation was allegedly overseen by Tamasos Bishop Isias. The monks were reportedly kept in separate areas, grilled for hours under guard, and forbidden from contacting anyone. They were forced to sign their voluntary defrocking against their will. The lawyers claim these actions were carried out by police officers in civilian clothes under orders from Bishop Isias. The letter detailing these allegations was sent to President Nikos Christodoulides, the anti-corruption authority, the police chief, and the House human rights committee. The police have denied these allegations, stating the monks were told they would be called in later to give a statement. The Holy Synod has reported the monks to the police, and the financial crimes unit is investigating. The monks were allegedly found with €800,000 in cash and property in Greece and Limassol, and were caught on CCTV footage having sex with each other. This footage was shown during a Holy Synod session, which referred the monks to ecclesiastical court. The monks’ legal team claims the footage was obtained and edited by another monk without their consent, violating GDPR regulations. President Christodoulides has stated that justice will be served without the need for intervention from any party.

7 out of 10 single mums face survival issues in Cyprus, survey shows

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7 out of 10 single mums face survival issues in Cyprus, survey shows

A survey conducted more than three years ago by the Ypatia Equality Foundation for the Justice Ministry in Cyprus, titled ‘The Financial Repercussions of Divorce’, revealed significant financial difficulties faced by single mothers in Cyprus. Key findings from the survey include:

– Approximately 70% of single parents, predominantly women, are struggling to manage additional bills, raise children, generate income, and service debt inherited from their former spouses.
– Over 50% of single parents live at or below the poverty line, facing social exclusion.
– One in three single parents lost their employment following divorce.
– Despite the survey’s findings being submitted to the United Nations, it has not been utilized by authorities to improve the situation.
– Only 60% of divorced women are employed full-time, with more than 30% of single parents being unemployed.
– Family and friends provide more support to divorced women than social protection services.
– One in two divorcees live under the poverty line, with an annual income of around 10,000 euros.
– Nearly 60% of divorced women encounter daily practical issues at work, negatively affecting their careers, with many forced to leave their jobs due to the inability to balance work and childcare.
– More than half of male divorcees face housing issues, losing the family home, while nearly 70% of single mothers struggle with house mortgage payments.
– Eight out of ten single mothers limit their social lives to essential activities related to their children.
– 50% of divorcees, both male and female, believe that courts should consider the reasons for debt accumulation during the division of debt between former spouses, highlighting the issue of single mothers inheriting significant loans.