The chapter on Cyprus is extensive in the State Department report on the human rights situation around the world, which was published yesterday afternoon. On important human rights issues concerning the Republic of Cyprus, the report includes serious acts of corruption, crimes involving violence or threats of violence against members of national and ethnic minorities, and a lack of investigation and accountability for violence against women. "The government, as mentioned in the summary of the department for the Republic of Cyprus, has taken measures to locate, investigate, prosecute and punish officials who committed human rights violations."
In the chapter on corruption, the report refers to the Cyprus Papers of the Al Jazeera television network, "whose reporters recorded extensive evidence of government corruption related to the investor citizenship system."
As in previous years, the chapter on Cyprus is divided into two parts: the Republic of Cyprus and the "Turkish Cypriot-ruled area".
He notes that since 1974 the southern part of Cyprus is under the control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. The northern part of Cyprus, "ruled by Turkish Cypriots", declared itself in 1983 a "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus".
"The United States does not recognize the TRNC or any other country except Turkey. A significant number of Turkish troops remain on the island. A neutral zone patrolled by UNFICYP separates the two sides ".
In summary, the Republic of Cyprus is described as a constitutional democracy and a multi-party presidential democracy. He states that in 2018 the voters re-elected President Nikos Anastasiadis in free and fair elections. In 2016, voters elected 56 representatives to the 80-seat House of Representatives with free and fair elections. The remaining positions have been set for Turkish Cypriots and remain vacant.
He points out that the police enforce the law and fight criminal activity. The Police report to the Ministry of Justice and Public Order. The President appoints the Chief of Police. The political authorities maintain effective control over the security forces. He notes, however, that members of the security forces have committed some abuses.
"Important human rights issues included serious acts of corruption; crimes involving violence or threats of violence targeting members of national and ethnic minorities; and a lack of investigation and accountability for violence against women." "The government has taken measures to locate, investigate, prosecute and punish officials who have committed human rights violations," the summary for the Republic of Cyprus said.
The incidents he recorded included complaints from 39 citizens to the Independent Authority against police officers for abuse of power, misconduct and unjustified fines during restrictions imposed to deal with the pandemic. Three complaints concerned the use of force during the arrest on March 31, 2020.
Regarding the situation in the prisons, he states that the government amended the regulation in the framework of the pandemic measures.
Records the observations of the Commissioner of Administration from the inspections of the Paphos and Aradippou Police Stations, as well as the detention facility at Larnaca Airport. For Paphos, he noted that detainees remained longer than the 48 hours allowed by law and that there were no places of entertainment.
He writes that unlike other years, the Commissioner of Administration and NGOs did not report incidents of deportations before the final hearing of the cases. He notes, however, that "an NGO reported that instead of deporting detainees before the final hearing of their cases, the immigration authorities pressured them to sign a voluntary return, threatening to detain them indefinitely."
The incident of the young British woman in Ayia Napa who had reported gang rape is mentioned as an example of the refusal by the police to detainees to have access to a lawyer during the interrogation.
In the section on freedom of movement, it states that the government has imposed restrictions on certain internal crossings and movements through crossing points to "areas ruled by the Turkish Cypriots", to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and these restrictions applied equally to all. He writes that before his pandemic COVID-19, the government did not prevent Greek Cypriots from traveling to the "Turkish Cypriot-ruled area", but the Foreign Ministry warned foreigners not to spend the night on Greek Cypriot properties occupied by Turkish Cypriots or Turks playing in the area. Or buy and develop real estate there. Authorities at the ports of entry denied entry to non-residents who declared hotels in the "Turkish Cypriot-ruled area" as their residence during their visit.
He also writes, citing media, that police officers at the crossing points occasionally harassed Greek Cypriots returning from the area under Turkish Cypriot administration.
Finally, the chapter on corruption refers to the Cyprus Papers of the Al Jazeera television network, "whose reporters recorded extensive evidence of government corruption related to the citizenship system for investors", noting in particular the cases of Parliament Speaker Dimitris Sylloukis , the termination of the program and the announcement of the Attorney General for the start of an investigation.
Finally, it refers to the outcome of the trials for corruption cases in the municipal authorities of Larnaca and Paphos.
Occupied areas
The summary for the occupied territories states that the northern part of Cyprus has been "ruled by Turkish Cypriots" since 1974 and declared itself a "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" in 1983. The United States does not recognize the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" like any other. other country than Turkey.
In 2020, Ersin Tatar was elected "president" in "free and fair elections," he said. In 2018, voters elected 50 "members of parliament" in "free and fair elections". The "constitution" of the "tdbk" is the basis for the "laws" that govern the area ruled by the Turkish Cypriot authorities, it is reported.
He writes that the "police" are responsible for enforcing the "law". The "police chief" refers to a "general", who is nominally under the supervision of the "prime minister", who holds the security portfolio.
"The police and the Turkish Cypriot security forces are ultimately under the operational command of the Turkish Armed Forces, as provided by the 'constitution', which entrusts responsibility for public security and defense to Turkey," it added.
He points out that the authorities maintained effective control over the security forces, however members of the security forces committed some abuses.
"Important human rights issues included: severe restrictions on freedom of expression and the press, including criminal defamation laws, deportation of asylum seekers, serious acts of corruption, lack of investigation and accountability for violence against women, and violence against women; "include violence or threats of violence targeting members of ethnic minorities."
Finally, he states that the "authorities" took measures to investigate "officials" after allegations of human rights violations. However, there was evidence of impunity.