Significant improvements are included in the State Department’s Human Rights Report on Cyprus for 2021, compared to previous reports, Government Spokesman Marios Pelecanos told CNA.
At the same time, he said the report is a source of reflection and improvement and that as a democratic state, Cyprus is always open to examine recommendations for improvement in the field of human rights.
Invited by CNA to comment on the State Department’s Report which was made public on Wednesday, Pelecanos said that some headlines give the impression that the report is negative for Cyprus, however “if we compare it to older reports, there are significant improvements in certain areas.”
For instance, the report acknowledges the efforts of many services of the Republic of Cyprus, for instance the Labour Ministry, the Ministry of Justice and Public Order and the Prisons.
He added that “it is a fact that observations are recorded for the Republic of Cyprus regarding the management of refugee flows”, and it points out that “the EU itself acknowledges the pressure on the Republic of Cyprus from the increased and ongoing migratory flows.”
The Spokesperson recalled that President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades had convened a number of meetings recently and decisions have been taken to handle the problems arising due to the emergency caused by the increased migration flows.
Regarding the comments in the report on corruption, Pelecanos said that measures were taken, investigations took place and cases are being brought before justice against legal and natural persons. Therefore, it is more correct to read the report in its entirety and not merely titles or parts of the report, he added.
It is acknowledged, he added, that the Republic of Cyprus has taken concrete steps to identify, investigate prosecute and punish officials who, through their actions, committed corruption and violation of human rights.
The Spokesperson further said that the issues highlighted in the report are a “useful source of reflection and improvement”, adding that as a democratic state, Cyprus is always open to recommendations to improve human rights”.
Source: Cyprus News Agency