A solution to the Cyprus problem can become viable and sustainable if it respects the human rights of all Cypriots, Justice Minister Stefi Drakou said on Monday, speaking at a Cyprus Police event on the protection of human rights in the context of ensuring public order, on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, celebrated every year on December 10.
In her address, Drakou spoke of impressive progress in recent years in the field of human rights, noting in particular the strengthening of constitutional freedoms and human rights protection with the establishment of the Supreme Constitutional Court, and added that at the same time the delay in the adjudication of cases in Cyprus negatively affects the rule of law.
On the area of safeguarding public order and fighting crime, Drakou said that the Ministry is proceeding with the help of experts to reorganise the Police to make it even more effective in dealing with all forms of violence, especially those involving vulnerable groups, while top among the Ministry’s priorities is the prevention and combating of violence against women, adding that the strengthening of the legal framework has brought the country one step closer to the full implementation of the provisions of the Istanbul Convention.
As a country-victim of a massive violation of human rights by Turkey, Cyprus remains committed to respecting and promoting human rights, Drakou concluded, adding that a solution to the Cyprus problem can become viable and sustainable if it respects the human rights of all Cypriots.
Police Chief Stelios Papatheodorou said that the Police is making continuous and coordinated efforts to achieve a full balance between the fight against crime and the protection of human rights of citizens, adding that in this direction the Police has proceeded to the establishment and operation of specialized offices and services for the coordination of actions on human rights protection issues and the protection of vulnerable persons’ rights.
At the same time, he said that the Police has proceeded with the preparation and distribution of manuals on human rights in general, while particular emphasis was placed on the revision and upgrading of the Police Academy’s educational policy in the field of human rights.
Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights Maria Stylianou Lottides highlighted in her address the cooperation between her Office and the Police in terms of training on human rights and discrimination issues, as well as in terms of investigating complaints from citizens about the actions of the Police.
She added that it is necessary to strengthen democratic guarantees regarding the role of the Police through the implementation of a comprehensive policy matrix, which includes a fair complaints investigation system and the impartial control of police actions by independent investigative bodies, as well as the continuous training and awareness-raising of all police officers on the principles of human rights protection without discrimination.
Source: Cyprus News Agency