MVP

Tag: NGOs

  • Cyprus Ministries Clash Over Human Trafficking Responsibilities Following Channel 4 Revelations

    Cyprus Ministries Clash Over Human Trafficking Responsibilities Following Channel 4 Revelations

    In the wake of a Channel 4 investigation revealing troubling instances of sexual harassment in Ayia Napa, Cyprus’s ministries are embroiled in a conflict over who should address human trafficking crimes. A Migration Deputy Ministry official candidly admitted to Parliament, “we do nothing on this issue,” highlighting the lack of coordination among the various governmental bodies involved.

    Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com

    During a recent House Human Rights Committee hearing, officials from the Interior Ministry, Justice Ministry, and Migration Deputy Ministry struggled to delineate their roles in combating trafficking. Migration Deputy Ministry official Xenia Georgiadi stated that while her office coordinates efforts, it lacks an operational role, placing the primary responsibility on the police.

    Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com

    Committee chair Irene Charalambidou expressed concern that the issue of trafficking should never have fallen under the Migration Deputy Ministry’s purview. She announced plans to re-evaluate the coordination structure and confirmed that both the migration deputy minister and justice minister would be summoned to Parliament for further discussions.

    As the debate unfolded, MPs and other stakeholders pushed for the Justice Ministry to assume a more central role in coordinating anti-trafficking efforts. Justice Ministry legal officer Spyros Yiallouridis acknowledged his ministry’s involvement in a multi-agency trafficking group but refrained from commenting on whether it should take over coordination responsibilities, citing the matter as political.

    MP Rita Superman described the shift of trafficking oversight from the Interior Ministry to the Migration Deputy Ministry as a significant error, arguing that such matters should be handled by the Justice Ministry. She pointed out that in Turkey, human trafficking falls under the Migration Ministry, which should not be the case in Cyprus. Trafficking, she insisted, is fundamentally a human rights issue, exacerbated by vulnerabilities related to migration.

    As these discussions unfold, Labour Ministry representative Christina Mitidou reiterated that her ministry does not bear responsibility for trafficking. In light of the Channel 4 investigation, the committee is preparing to send a letter demanding clarification on inspections conducted before and after the video’s release.

    In terms of law enforcement, police have reported that 30 individuals have been convicted over the past five years in trafficking cases involving either sexual or labour exploitation. Police Crime Combating Department assistant director Andreas Anastasiades shared that extensive checks were conducted at Ayia Napa establishments, with operations occurring across Cyprus. He outlined the number of operations executed in recent years: 26 in 2022, 37 in 2023, 33 in 2024, and 18 so far in 2025.

    Despite these efforts, 30 trafficking cases remain pending in court. Anastasiades emphasised that police are taking the matter seriously, working in collaboration with Europol and other agencies to address trafficking more effectively.

    Amid the scrutiny, Ayia Napa’s mayor, Christos Zannettou, labelled the incidents highlighted in the Channel 4 report as isolated, asserting that the municipality receives around 45,000 tourists daily, with over 10,000 people employed in the area. He acknowledged the need for investigations into the establishments mentioned in the video but maintained that such occurrences do not represent the norm.

    He also pointed out that there are job advertisements from websites based in the Netherlands that promise work and accommodation, but often only offer a bed without proper living conditions. Zannettou noted that complaints regarding workers’ living conditions and other issues like noise pollution have been recorded, but these are not reflective of the broader situation.

    The gender equality commissioner’s office faced criticism for its lack of response to the Channel 4 investigation. A representative of the office, Andreas Misos, stated that commissioner Josie Christodoulou condemns acts of sexual or labour exploitation but is currently abroad. MPs expressed frustration at her absence from committee meetings over recent months and suggested that she should have taken more proactive measures following the video’s release.

    Charalambidou pointed out that the commissioner should have coordinated with police and relevant authorities to prepare a comprehensive report, a sentiment Misos deemed unrealistic, given Christodoulou’s lack of an institutional role.

    NGOs have also expressed concern over their exclusion from coordination meetings related to trafficking. Paraskeui Tzeou, chair of Cyprus Stop Trafficking, noted that her organisation was not invited to multi-agency meetings, while Katerina Stefanou, founder of Step Up Stop Slavery, echoed similar sentiments regarding her exclusion from the December meeting.

  • Pentakomo Fish Farming Port Clarified by Authorities

    Pentakomo Fish Farming Port Clarified by Authorities

    The planned fish farming port at Pentakomo has been misrepresented in recent reports, prompting officials to clarify its purpose and scale. Authorities on Monday moved to quash speculation that the project has spiralled into a massive operation that could jeopardise marine habitats and endangered species.

    • Despite the assurances from authorities, there is an ongoing administrative appeal filed by NGOs against the project. The outcomes of the upcoming court hearings are anticipated shortly.

    In a joint statement, the departments of fisheries, the environment, and public works addressed claims that the facility had expanded from a simple fishing harbour to what was described as a “mammoth port”. Officials labelled such reports as inaccurate, emphasising the importance of addressing the “spread of misinformation” regarding the project.

    The departments confirmed that the fishing complex, once completed, is expected to handle over 50 per cent of the national production of fishery products. This will include both sea and land infrastructures, designed specifically to support local aquaculture.

    Contrary to claims of disproportionate scale, the port will accommodate only 35 vessels, a figure that is notably lower than most existing fishing shelters. This specification was reiterated by the departments, who assured that the project remains within the parameters set in the contract.

    All necessary permits, including environmental and construction-related approvals, have been secured. “Based on the scientific assessment carried out by experts, no major or irreversible adverse impacts on marine species or habitats are expected,” the statement continued, highlighting a commitment to responsible development.

    To mitigate any potential environmental impacts, the contractor is adhering to strict guidelines, including the installation of silt curtains in the affected area. Furthermore, experts have confirmed that there will be no significant impacts on the monk seal population in the region.

    An external environmental inspector has been appointed to oversee the project, ensuring compliance with environmental standards. The contractor is also required to submit regular environmental reports to maintain transparency and accountability.

    On land, the infrastructure developments will proceed as planned, with no alterations to the original design. This project, which is set to enhance aquaculture facilities in Pentakomo, follows a contract worth nearly €34 million signed in October 2024 between the government and a private consortium.

    The initiative includes the construction of port and land facilities that will support aquaculture farmers in the area. Specific features will comprise breakwaters made from natural and artificial boulders, the dredging of a new port basin, docks, and various buildings.

    Despite the assurances from authorities, there is an ongoing administrative appeal filed by NGOs against the project. The outcomes of the upcoming court hearings are anticipated shortly.

  • Concerns Mount Over US Warplane Activity in Cypriot Airspace

    Concerns Mount Over US Warplane Activity in Cypriot Airspace

    us warplane — Concerns have been raised regarding the ‘unusual movements’ of a US warplane in Cypriot airspace. The aircraft, a Boeing C-17 belonging to the United States Air Force, was observed taking off from Paphos airport on Tuesday, shortly before landing at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport less than an hour later.

    A coalition of non-governmental organisations in Cyprus, including activist group Afoa and pro-Palestine entities such as BDS Cyprus, Genocide-Free Cyprus, and United for Palestine Cyprus, has alleged that the island is being used as a stopover point for transporting unknown cargo and personnel from the US Al Udeid airbase in Qatar to Israel.

    The aircraft has been seen making multiple trips between Al Udeid and Israel, with its transponder turned off on several occasions. This has left observers unable to track its exact location, raising suspicions about its operations. One such incident led the organisations to question whether the plane actually landed in Paphos or diverted to the nearby Mari naval base, although this is deemed unlikely as the C-17 cannot land at Mari.

    After reappearing on radar an hour later, the C-17 was again recorded en route to Israel. Following its departure from Israel, flight data suggested the aircraft conducted what the groups referred to as a “phantom landing” in Cyprus. This tactic, they claim, involved flying at low altitude near an airport to create the illusion of landing, while actually maintaining a direct flight path between the US base and Israel.

    The organisations noted that the altitude readings of the C-17 never dropped to zero, further indicating that it did not land in Paphos but merely passed over the region. They expressed scepticism regarding the nature of the flights, asserting that they were “almost certainly not related to humanitarian aid.” They argued that a US military cargo aircraft would not undertake such clandestine journeys if its purpose were truly humanitarian.

    The cloak of secrecy surrounding the C-17’s movements has led these groups to conclude that military aid is being transported through Cypriot facilities. They contend that by allowing such flights and enabling operations from the island to assist the US and Israel, the Cypriot government has effectively compromised its sovereignty, transforming the island into an unwitting accomplice in alleged acts of violence.

    In their statement, they claimed, “by permitting such flights and enabling operations from the island to aid the US and Israel, the Cypriot government has effectively abdicated its sovereignty, turning the island into a silent accomplice in genocide.” This assertion adds a complex layer to the geopolitical dynamics involving Cyprus, the US, and Israel, as local organisations push for transparency and accountability regarding military operations in the region.