Nicosia: There were no significant changes in the human rights situation in the Republic of Cyprus, the US State Department’s 2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices says. The Report also covers the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the report notes in its Executive Summary that the Government of the Republic of Cyprus was the only internationally recognized government on the island, but since 1974 the northern third of Cyprus was administered by Turkish Cypriots. This area, it adds, “proclaimed itself the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ in 1983.” The United States did not recognize the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus;’ Turkey was the only country that did. A substantial number of Turkish troops remained on the island. A buffer zone, or ‘Green Line,’ patrolled by a UN peacekeeping force, separated the two areas. This report outlines developments in both communities.
The report indicates that there were no significant changes in the human rights situation in either the Republic of Cyprus or the area administered by Turkish Cypriots during the year. Significant human rights issues in the Republic of Cyprus included credible reports of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Although the Republic of Cyprus government took steps to identify and punish officials who committed human rights abuses, there were limited instances of impunity.
In the area administered by Turkish Cypriots, significant human rights issues included credible reports of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, and serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom, including violence or threats of violence against human rights activists and journalists. Authorities in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots rarely took credible steps to identify and punish officials who committed human rights abuses, with evidence of widespread impunity.
Regarding Freedom of the Press, the Republic of Cyprus law provided for freedom of expression, including for the press and other media, and the government generally respected this right. An independent media, an effective judiciary, and a functioning democratic political system combined to promote freedom of expression, including for media members. In contrast, in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots, the ‘law’ provided for freedom of expression, including for members of the press and other media, but authorities did not respect this right.
The report further details that the Republic of Cyprus law criminalized incitement of hatred and violence based on race, color, religion, genealogical origin, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation, with such acts punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both. In the area administered by Turkish Cypriots, it was a criminal offense to insult the Turkish Cypriot ‘government’ and ‘officials,’ as well as the Turkish government and its officials. While individuals were sometimes able to criticize authorities publicly without reprisal, human rights defenders, NGOs, and press reported increased harassment and threats against critics of the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) president,’ ‘TRNC government,’ Turkish military, Turkish interference into Turkish Cypriot affairs, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Moreover, the trial of Left Movement member Abdullah Korkmazhan and three others charged with ‘conspiracy to create a secret alliance’ and insulting the ‘TRNC president’ continued. Korkmazhan was released on bail and required to report to a ‘police’ station weekly.
Regarding Worker Rights, the ROC law provided for workers to form and join independent unions, bargain collectively, and conduct legal strikes. Both antiunion discrimination and dismissal for union activity were illegal. The government generally enforced applicable labor laws, and investigations were adequate in the formal sector, although penalties for violations in the informal sector were less than those for similar civil rights violations.
In the area administered by Turkish Cypriots, the ‘law’ protected the rights of workers, except members of the ‘police’ and other Turkish Cypriot security forces, to form and join independent unions without prior authorization. However, union members reported police habitually arrested some union members during peaceful demonstrations to intimidate other demonstrators.
Regarding Security of the Person, Torture and Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the report notes that the constitution and law of the ROC prohibited such practices, but there were reports government officials employed them. The CPT May report on its 2023 visit to Cyprus described harsh material conditions and lack of structure and routine for prisoners in the Cyprus Prisons Department that amounted to inhuman and degrading treatment.
In the area administered by Turkish Cypriots, the ‘law’ did not explicitly refer to torture but prohibited police mistreatment of detainees under the section of the ‘criminal code’ covering assault, violence, and battery. NGOs reported police mistreatment and abuse of detainees at detention centers and the ‘central prison,’ with a lack of security cameras allowing abuse with impunity.