Day: March 13, 2023

In the past two years, the number of children that were referred for investigation for sexual abuse has remained consistently above 400, the humanitarian organisation “Hope For Children” CRC Policy Center (HFC) has stressed.

According to a press release by HFC, despite the indisputable progress recorded in recent years in various areas related to the protection of Children’s Rights in Cyprus, the data recorded by the Organisation through its multidimensional action, continue to be problematic.

The ‘Hope For Children’ CRC Policy Center is an International Humanitarian and Independent Institution based in Nicosia, Cyprus. It works on humanitarian and development policy relevant to the defense and promotion of children’s rights.

In its press release, it notes that in the last two years the number of children referred for investigation for sexual abuse remains consistently over 400, while the housing and rehabilitation needs of unaccompanied children continue to be significant and urgent.

It says that in 2022, 439 children were referred for investigation for sexual abuse, a number that continues to be high, despite the decrease recorded compared to 2021 when 483.

In addition, more than 170 children were accommodated in 2022 in shelters and in semi-independent living structures of unaccompanied children.

In 2022, HFC supported 231 approved foster families (couples or single persons) throughout Cyprus. In total, approximately 162 children are accommodated in foster families supported by the Organisation. The number of families increased to approximately 50% in 2022.

It says that children as well as parents can turn for help at the telephone lines operated by HFC, namely the 24-hour National Helpline 1466, the European Helpline for Children and Adolescents 116111, and the 24-hour European Missing Children Helpline 116000.The national helpline 1466, in 2022 alone responded to more than 700 phone calls to provide support and guidance services.

For more information about the humanitarian programs of the ‘Hope for Children’ CRC Policy Center at telephone number 22103234 or www.uncrcpc.org.cy.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

British High Commissioner in Nicosia, Irfan Siddiq, visited recently the Nicosia-based NGO, Voice for Autism to see first-hand the brilliant work carried out in support of young people of the community, a press release by the High Commission says.

The High Commissioner visited two group homes in Nicosia, where Voice for Autism offers independent and supported living to members of the community. Siddiq was accompanied on his visit to Voice for Autism by three Cypriot school students who are currently on the British and Australian ‘High Commissioner for a Week’ programme.

The press release adds that on the occasion of his visit, Siddiq offered a symbolic donation on behalf of the British High Commission. The donation was raised through a British High Commission staff raffle and the NGO chosen for its significant provision of services to young autistic people in Cyprus.

‘Every year staff pick a different local charity to support with our raffle funds: this is important in demonstrating that we too are part of Cypriot society and support the work of local communities,” he said.

Meanwhile, Voice for Autism President, Ellen Georgiou Pontikis, thanked the BHC for the donation, describing such moves as crucial towards securing Voice for Autism’s visibility and sustainability.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

The Cyprus problem, bilateral relations, European and regional issues, trilateral cooperation schemes as well as the migration issue were discussed during a meeting earlier on Monday between Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and Greece’s President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, CNA sources have said.

Christodoulides is paying Athens an official visit, his first abroad after having assumed his duties.

According to CNA sources, Sakellaropoulou and Christodoulides discussed the latter’s proposal for an active EU involvement in the efforts for Cyprus solution, in order to break the existing deadlock.

They also discussed the upcoming visit of UN Deputy Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo to Cyprus, while there was an update on the bilateral contacts that President Christodoulides will have in the framework of the upcoming European Council.

Moreover, the Presidents of Greece and Cyprus discussed the prospect of strengthening the already excellent bilateral relations between the two countries. Additionally, they reviewed regional issues and trilateral cooperation schemes, the role of the two countries in the region, as well as its upgrading. Developments in Libya and Syria were also discussed.

As regards the European issues, they discussed the active role of Cyprus and Greece, as well as coordination in view of the upcoming European Council.

With regard to migration, the management of migration was discussed in light of the fact that Cyprus and Greece are frontline states in terms of arrivals.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the establishment of a joint coordination body between Greece and Cyprus, during their statements, on Monday, in Athens.

As the two leaders said, entitled Supreme Council for Intergovernmental Cooperation, the new body represents a new page of cooperation and coordination between Athens and Nicosia.

In his remarks, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed that Athens supports the new Cypriot President’s efforts for a more active European engagement on the Cyprus problem and underlined that the two countries have been on the same side for a long time.

Mitsotakis also noted that Christodoulides took office at a very difficult period of geopolitical instability and overt revisionism expressed by certain states. “It is necessary for Greece and Cyprus to pull together. Our joint efforts will start from the upcoming European Council,” the Greek Prime Minister said. Against this backdrop, he underlined Greece’s readiness to continue working for the common vision of a Cyprus settlement on the basis of UN resolutions and the bizonal bicommunal federation.

On his part, President Christodoulides underlined that his visit to Athens is more than symbolic, at a time when the two countries face common challenges both in the region and in their European family. “I briefed Mitsotakis on the need for more active EU involvement in the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem. We are well aware that the situation is not easy but we are strongly convinced that the current situation cannot be the solution to the problem,” Christodoulides said.

Earlier the two leaders had a one-to-one meeting followed by extended talks between the delegations of the two sides.

Source: Cyprus News Agency

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides who began a two-day official visit in Athens on Monday, attended an official lunch hosted in his honor by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

His spouse Phillippa Karsera Christodoulides and the members of the Cypriot delegation also attended the official lunch.

In his toast the President conveyed the sincere condolences of the Cypriot people for the tragic event at Tempi and thanked President Sakellaropoulou for the warm hospitality and the talks they had.

President Christodoulides said that from the discussions they it is evident that both countries are ready to work even more, so as to improve the excellent bilateral relations. He also said that both countries will focus on the effectiveness of their actions.

Cyprus President also thanked his Greek counterpart for the great honor of the award she presented him earlier, adding that receiving this award on behalf of the Cypriot people, reflects the greatest obligation to meet their expectations. Sakellaropoulou, decorated earlier on Monday President Christodoulides with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer, that is awarded to distinguished personalities, during a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Athens.

President Christodoulides also wrote a message in the Guest Book of the Presidential Palace, noting, amongst others, that “it is with feelings of deep emotion and appreciation that I am making my first official visit to Greece.” He referred moreover to the customary nature of the first visit of the President of the Republic of Cyprus to Greece, noting at the same time that this visit is extremely important “and it is a clear message about the level of our relations and our fraternal ties.”

Source: Cyprus News Agency