Victim Support Services in Cyprus Are Ensured

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Victim Support Services in Cyprus Are Ensured CYPRUS | Developments on the Victim support services in Cyprus are ensured implementation of victim assistance by both the State and NGO’s which specifically mechanisms aim at providing general or specialised support to victims of crime (i.e. the “Domestic Violence Association” and “Hope for Children”, both DEFINITION OF VICTIM operating Victim Help lines and Shelters). In Cyprus, one may find substantive law At State level, victim assistance services are definitions of victims, but not a general usually provided by and through relevant definition. authorities, such as the Police and the Social Welfare Services Offices, in a free of charge Procedurally, victims are defined as manner. Victims’ are therefore provided with ‘complainants’, which is to say that the notion protection, accommodation, food, regular of victim in a different sense than the one of meetings with psychologists, free legal services complainant does not exist in the Cypriot Code in case the victim does not have the possibility of Procedure. to afford it. In broad terms, the “victim” means the person National support services are available 24 hours who suffered harm (i.e. physical, psychological, and include a wide range of support and damage or economic loss) in result of a crime information, namely at legal, psychological and punishable by a given law. financial level. There one may find expert professionals, such as lawyers, psychologists or However, the different notions of victim are others, whom provide support in accordance mentioned in specific laws for the purpose of with the victims’ needs, their age or type of implementation of provisions related to crime suffered. victims. The rights to which victims’ are entitled are It is thus important to highlight that particular explicitly laid down in the Law, including the clusters of victims such as children, victims of right to: trafficking in human beings, female victims of - Have access to therapeutic treatment domestic violence as well as disabled or and psychological support (if needed); handicapped victims are treated through - Have access to urgent therapeutic specific protective measures, as the respective treatment and further medication, laws provides for. being provided by the Ministry of Health; VICTIM SUPPORT - Have access to programs and systems offered by the state or NGO’s with established agreements or cooperation liability to pay special and general memoranda with the public services; damages to his victims, including any - Public financial support (in accordance delayed debts from exploiting a victim’s with the Law provisions); labour. Moreover, according to article 36, - Security and protection ensured by the L 60(I)/2014, any victim regardless of its Police; willingness to cooperate with prosecution - Free of charge translation and interpretation services; authorities for the criminal investigation, - Protection of personal data; prosecution or trial, has access to legal - Be kept informed. advice and legal representation to claim compensation under the Advocates’ Law, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE and in the case where the victim does not have sufficient financial resources, he or Cyprus legislation does not include a she has the right to free legal aid under definition of the term restorative justice the Legal Aid Law. or any other definition with the same or similar meaning. Consequently there are Additionally, according to article 32(1), L no restorative justice services (victim – 60(I)/2014, the Police during the first offender mediation, family group contact with the victim, provides all the conferencing and sentencing circles). necessary information, in a language which the victim understands, with respect to It is worth noting that the concept the protection of the victim’s interests, restorative justice is replaced by the term which include at least the following compensation. Article 35, L 60(I)/2014, information: provides that irrespective of and without a) the type of services or organizations to prejudice to any other legal means or which the victim may seek support in remedy established under any other law or relation to legal or other advice, regulation, a victim within the meaning of b) the type of support the victim may the above mentioned Law shall have a receive in relation to the criminal legal right to compensation against all procedure, persons responsible for committing the c) where and how the victim may submit a criminal offences under this Law and for complaint against the perpetrator, violation of his/her human rights. The accused also has the corresponding civil d) the procedures following the submission A victim may have recourse to the of the complaint and the role of the victim provisions on video conferencing if the within the framework of this procedure, offence is committed in Cyprus and the e) how and under which conditions the victim makes a statement to the Police victim can enjoy protection, before returning to his/her country. Also, f) to what degree and under which the statement can be made in the conditions the victim has access to: competent authority of the victim’s (i) legal advice, or country and transmitted to Cyprus Police (ii) legal assistance, or within the framework of the Convention on (iii) any other type of advice, and, if, in Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters the cases of (i) and (ii) the victim has such between the Member States of the a right, European Union of 29 May 2000. g) what conditions must be satisfied to According to article 37(2) of Law qualify for compensation, 60(I)/2014, a victim’s complaint against h) if the victim resides in another Member offences included in this law, who is a State or desires to go to its Member State resident of another member state and or to its third country of origin, which his/her complaint is submitted to his/her mechanism are available to defend his or residence country, is investigated by the her interests. Cyprus authorities in the same way that would have been investigated had the VICTIMS RESIDENT IN ANOTHER MEMBER victim been in the Republic of Cyprus. STATE Lastly, it should be noted that competency There is no provision in Cyprus Law which in Cyprus does not depend on the imposes obligation to the Police nationality of victim and/or offender. (investigative authority in Cyprus) to take a statement from the victim immediately INDIVIDUAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND after the complaint with regard to the VULNERABLE GROUPS criminal offence. Nevertheless, as a matter of practice the Police takes a In Cyprus there is not yet implemented any statement from the victim immediately protocol no for individual victim needs after the complaint or at the first possible assessment. Nonetheless, in legislation opportunity. the term “witnesses (victims) in need for protection” is used to refer to groups is also in place a training for Family Court identified elsewhere as “vulnerable”. Judges on dealing with children and on issues related with personal status. Several laws (such as on Domestic With regard to the Police training, Cyprus Violence, on Child Sexual Abuse, on Police Academy provides training on subjects trafficking of Human Beings, on Protection related to victims of crime at all levels of of witnesses) provide for measures of Police education. Specifically, such courses increased protection for such victims. Such aiming to educate Police Officers of all ranks measures include Protection Orders, Video are offered at the basic Training Programmes Recording of Statements, Court Witness for Recruits Police Officers, and at specialized intimidation measures (including giving courses such as Sergeant, Inspector and Chief evidence through CCTV) structured / Inspector Courses, and basic and advanced Crime Investigation Courses. official information of their legal rights, etc. Further to the above, Cyprus Police Academy in cooperation with relevant offices (i.e. Domestic TRAINING OF PRACTITIONERS Violence and Child Abuse Office, Combating Human Trafficking Office etc), organizes There are several existing and very significant specialized training for officers involved in forms of training for practitioners in Cyprus, criminal proceedings, who are likely to come both general and targeting, thus indirectly, into personal contact with victims, so that they crucial victims’ categories. A training program are able to identify victims and their needs and for judges and professional police training are deal with them in a respectful, sensitive, in place, the first one established on a professional and non-discminatory manner. The permanent basis by the Supreme Court above training focuses on subject matters, such (including judges of first instance courts) and as investigation of child sexual abuse cases, the second provided to the police divided into domestic violence, interviewing vulnerable four different levels. witnesses, obtaining video recorded statements, trafficking in human beings etc. In the training of judges program, judges receive regular training on the administration Further training of police officers on subject of justice, including subjects such as the matters such as investigation of child sexual conduct of judges with emphasis on the abuse cases or on interviewing vulnerable psychology of the witness and advocates, the witnesses and on obtaining video recorded study of several social phenomena, rules of statements are organised periodically, while etiquette or behavior towards the public. There short courses are organised on an annual basis on the ways to deal with child victims. Short- Span training sessions are conducted to update and refresh the knowledge of in service personnel. Such refresher courses may also be organised by any police division and can be conducted at the peripheral or central level. COOPERATION AND COORDINATION OF SERVICES Although there are no organised networks of cooperation and information exchange in Cyprus, whenever needed, the several services use their internal practice rules. There are a few examples of the above, such as the cooperation between the social welfare services and the police to victims’ identification or the organisation of training and events with the relevant offices involved in victim’s protection and assistance.
Recommended publications
  • Cyprus Police Academy
    CONFERENCE ON ACCESSION Brussels, 11 January 2002 TO THE EUROPEAN UNION - CYPRUS - CONF-CY 4/02 Document provided by Cyprus PUBLIC Chapter 24: Cooperation in the Fields of Justice and Home Affairs ACTION PLAN FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE SCHENGEN ACQUIS (Revised December 2001) A. BORDER CONTROL A.(I) External Border Control (I) Current Situation (a) Legislative transposition Cyprus΄ legislation is considerably aligned with the Schengen acquis. The current legislation empowers the Police and other law enforcement authorities, to carry out the function of border control. In the framework of Cyprus’ harmonization process, the Carriers Liability Law was enacted on 23.3.2000 in accordance with SCH/Com-ex (p8) 37 def. “Action Plan to Combat illegal immigration”. The Law will enter into force upon accession. (b) Implementation and enforcement of the Schengen acquis Cyprus has two international airports, two main seaports and four small seaports. The organizations responsible for immigration and border control issues, are the The Services involved in border control are the Police, (the Ports and Marine Police, the Police Airwing and the Police Aliens and Immigration Department) the Department of Customs and Excise, the Aliens and Immigration Service of the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Interior, the Civil Aviation Department and the Cyprus Ports Authority. These Services cooperate with each other and with foreign law enforcement agencies (in compliance with the Schengen acquis SCH/COM-ex(93) 9-14.12.93) in a satisfactory manner and coordinate their actions through a number of coordination mechanisms which bring together two or more of these Services for discussion of border control issues and for policy decisions.
    [Show full text]
  • Response of the Government of Cyprus to the Report of The
    CPT/Inf (2018) 17 Response of the Government of Cyprus to the report of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) on its visit to Cyprus from 2 to 9 February 2017 The Government of Cyprus has requested the publication of this response. The CPT’s report on the February 2017 visit to Cyprus is set out in document CPT/Inf (2018) 16. Strasbourg, 26 April 2018 Response by the Government of Cyprus to the report on the visit of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) to Cyprus (2 to 9 February 2017) The Republic of Cyprus welcomes the recommendations of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The competent authorities have carefully studied the recommendations, which will be duly considered in the efforts to improve the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty, with a view to strengthening, where necessary, the protection of such persons. Cyprus remains committed to its dialogue with the Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. I. INTRODUCTION D. National Preventive Mechanism Recommendation par. 9, page 10 -11 The CPT recommends that the Cypriot authorities significantly increase the resources allocated to the Office of the Ombudsman to enable it to carry out its NPM functions effectively, along with a dedicated and sufficient budget. Enhancing the capacity of the Office of the Ombudsman has been one of the priorities of the Cypriot authorities, who have sought external expertise on how best to proceed.
    [Show full text]
  • Comments by Cyprus Police Academy to the Recommendations of the External Evaluation Committee (EEC) for Improvements, As Contained in Doc No
    Comments by Cyprus Police Academy to the recommendations of the External Evaluation Committee (EEC) for improvements, as contained in Doc No. 300.2.2 (Institutional Evaluation) p. 18 and Doc No. 300.1.1 (Program Evaluation) p. 17 The comments of the EEC regarding both Institutional and Programme evaluation were the same and are cited below: “Suggestions for improvement: i. Reconsider the role of research and the research centre in the overall academic strategy ii. Ensure that the Mission and Vision statements are more closely tied to outcomes; iii. Ensure better alignment of strategic planning and quality assurance objectives. iv. Consider upgrading facilities and outdoor recreation areas.” The EEC’s general comments on the above suggestions are as follows: i. The Scientific Research Centre, which was presented during the Evaluation, is now called the Centre for Scientific Research and Professional Development, and as of 17/01/2019 comes under the Assistant Chief of Police (Education), who implements/coordinates and oversees the educational policy set by the Chief of Police. It is underlined that the Research Office, which deals with the study of laws, changes in course material, preparation of research in police matters, etc., still operates under the Cyprus Police Academy (CPA). More details are available in the comments on points 6.1.1 - 6.1.7 of the Institutional Evaluation. ii. Moreover, the Police Academy has revised the learning outcomes of the Training of Police Recruits, with a view to aligning them with the strategic goals of the Police, quality assurance and time frames, as follows: «The CPA’s mission is the provision of quality education and training to all members of the Cyprus Police, with a view to expanding their knowledge and developing their skills and abilities, in order to ensure, in the best possible way, the achievement of the strategic goals of the Police».
    [Show full text]
  • 70+6'& 0#6+105
    70+6'& 0#6+105 ' 'EQPQOKE CPF 5QEKCN Distr. GENERAL %QWPEKN E/C.12/1998/SR.35/Add.1 23 November 1998 Original: ENGLISH COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS Nineteenth session SUMMARY RECORD OF THE SECOND PART (PUBLIC)* OF THE 35th MEETING Held at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, on Thursday, 19 November 1998, at 11 a.m. Chairperson: Mr. GRISSA CONTENTS CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS: (a) REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLES 16 AND 17 OF THE COVENANT (continued) Third periodic report of Cyprus (continued) * The summary record of the first part (closed) of the meeting appears as document E/C.12/1998/SR.35. This record is subject to correction. Corrections should be submitted in one of the working languages. They should be set forth in a memorandum and also incorporated in a copy of the record. They should be sent within one week of the date of this document to the Official Records Editing Section, room E.4108, Palais des Nations, Geneva. Any corrections to the records of the public meetings of the Committee at this session will be consolidated in a single corrigendum, to be issued shortly after the end of the session. GE.98-19798 (E) E/C.12/1998/SR.35/Add.1 page 2 The public part of the meeting was called to order at 11 a.m. CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS: (a) REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLES 16 AND 17 OF THE COVENANT (agenda item 6) (continued) Third periodic report of Cyprus (continued) (E/1994/104/Add.12; HRI/CORE/1/Add.28/Rev.1) 1.
    [Show full text]
  • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
    United Nations CCPR/C/CYP/5 International Covenant on Distr.: General 26 November 2020 Civil and Political Rights Original: English English, French and Spanish only Human Rights Committee Fifth periodic report submitted by Cyprus under article 40 of the Covenant pursuant to the optional reporting procedure, due in 2020*, ** [Date received: 27 July 2020] * The present document is being issued without formal editing. ** The annexes to the present report are on file with the secretariat and are available for consultation. They may also be accessed from the web page of the Human Rights Committee. GE.20-16001(E) CCPR/C/CYP/5 Contents Page List of abbreviations ...................................................................................................................... 3 I. Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 5 II. Provisions of the Covenant ........................................................................................................... 5 Α. General information on the national human rights situation, including new measures and developments relating to the implementation of the Covenant ............................... 5 Β. Specific information on the implementation of articles 1–27 of the Covenant, including with regard to the previous recommendations of the Committee .................................. 6 Constitutional and legal framework within which the Covenant is implemented (art. 2) ..... 6 Non-discrimination,
    [Show full text]
  • Cyprus Police Campaign Against Domestic Violence
    [email protected] ECPA/BPC 2007 Please answer the following questions in English. 1. Is this your country’s ECPA entry or is it an additional project? (Only one ECPA entry per country plus up to two other projects.) This is the national ECPA entry of Cyprus. 2. What is the title of the project? Cyprus Police Campaign Against Domestic Violence. 3. Please give a short general description of the project. A series of approximately 20 police actions, most of which are at a national level, to prevent and combat domestic violence through awareness and sensitization of the public and of professionals, as well as through training of professionals. The project began in November 2006 and it will end in May 2008. 4. Please describe the objective(s) of the project? 1. To inform and sensitize the public on the issue, the dynamics and the consequences of domestic violence, on the legal and procedural aspects of dealing with it, and on the relevant Agencies, with an emphasis on Policing matters. 2. To further sensitize police officers through print material, and to further train them through specialized training on the issue. 3. To further inform and sensitize partner professionals of other Agencies (Governmental or Non) involved with the issue on the role of the Police. 4. To ease and increase public and especially victim access to relevant authorities, and especially to the Police. 5. To facilitate and increase understanding and cooperation between the Police and victims. 6. To further improve Police professional conduct and response to Domestic Violence incidents. 7.
    [Show full text]
  • European Law Enforcement Research Bulletin Nr
    Limitations in cross-national comparative research: Problems faced when comparing police personnel statistics LIMITATIONS IN CROSS NATIONAL COMPARATIVE RESEARCH: Problems faced when comparing police personnel statistics Markianos Kokkinos Christiana Vryonidou Scientific Research and Professional Development Center, Cyprus Police Academy 1 Abstract The Mass Media in Cyprus announced that according to the Eurostat (2019) “Police, Court and Prison Personnel Statistics”, Cyprus has the highest ratio of police officers per 100.000 inhab- itants among all EU member states. To examine this outcome, the Cyprus Police conducted cross-national research comparing the organisation’s population and duties with those of other law enforcement agencies in the European Union. This article will elaborate on the lim- itations of cross-national comparative research, which the authors came across during the study, as mentioned above. It will argue that even a subject as straightforward as the number of police officers is not directly comparable between countries in terms of necessity or efficiency, without taking into consideration the particular context of each given country. A quantitative comparison, which does not explore the background and contextual information on law en- forcement agencies in each country, can be questioned with regards to severe methodological issues, while its outcomes run the risk of being regarded as misleading. Keywords: Eurostat, Comparative Research, Limitations, Police Personnel 1 [email protected] 31 European Law Enforcement Research Bulletin Nr. 20 (Autumn 2020) Introduction According to Eurostat (2019), as presented in Graph 1 below, Cyprus has the highest ratio of police officers per 100.000 inhabitants among the EU countries. This fuelled the ire of the mass media in Cyprus, and consequently of the public, which turned once more against the Police.
    [Show full text]
  • Moneyval Mutual Evaluation Report
    COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON THE EVALUATION OF ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING MEASURES AND THE FINANCING OF TERRORISM (MONEYVAL) MONEYVAL(2019)27 Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing measures Cyprus Fifth Round Mutual Evaluation Report December 2019 0 The Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism - MONEYVAL is a permanent monitoring body of the Council of Europe entrusted with the task of assessing compliance with the principal international standards to counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism and the effectiveness of their implementation, as well as with the task of making recommendations to national authorities in respect of necessary improvements to their systems. Through a dynamic process of mutual evaluations, peer review and regular follow-up of its reports, MONEYVAL aims to improve the capacities of national authorities to fight money laundering and the financing of terrorism more effectively. All rights reserved. Reproduction is authorised, provided the source The fifth-round mutual is acknowledged, save where otherwise stated. For any use for evaluation report on Cyprus commercial purposes, no part of this publication may be translated, was adopted by the reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic MONEYVAL Committee at its (CD-ROM, Internet, etc.) or mechanical, including photocopying, 59th Plenary Session recording or any information storage or retrieval system without (Strasbourg, 2-6 December prior permission in writing from the MONEYVAL Secretariat, 2019). Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law, Council of Europe (F-67075 Strasbourg or [email protected]) 1 CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...........................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Response of the Government of Cyprus to the Report Of
    CPT/Inf (2003) 2 Response of the Government of Cyprus to the report of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) on its visit to Cyprus from 22 to 30 May 2000 The Government of Cyprus has requested the publication of the CPT's report on the visit to Cyprus in May 2000 (see CPT/Inf (2003) 1) and of its response. The response of the Government of Cyprus is set out in this document. Strasbourg, 15 January 2003 - 3 - TABLE OF CONTENTS A. RESPONSE OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS TO THE REPORT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR THE PREVENTION OF TORTURE AND INHUMAN OF DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT (CPT) ON ITS VISIT TO CYPRUS FROM 22 TO 30 MAY 2000................................................. 5 B. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS IN RESPONSE TO THE REPORT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR THE PREVENTION OF TORTURE AND INHUMAN OF DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT (CPT) ON ITS VISIT TO CYPRUS FROM 22 TO 30 MAY 2000 ................................................................ 29 Secretariat of the CPT Human Rights Building Council of Europe F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, France Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 20 00 Fax: +33 (0)3 88 41 27 72 E-Mail: [email protected] Internet: http://www.cpt.coe.int - 5 - A. RESPONSE OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS TO THE REPORT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR THE PREVENTION OF TORTURE AND INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT (CPT) ON ITS VISIT TO CYPRUS FROM 22 TO 30 MAY 2000 - 7 - PREFACE This is the report of the Republic of Cyprus submitted to the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment following the publication of the Report of the CPT (2000/46, December 20, 2000) which visited Cyprus from 22 to 30 May 2000.
    [Show full text]
  • Vocational Education and Training in Cyprus
    European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training EN EN Vocational education and training in Vocational education Cyprus and training in Short description 4118 The vocational education and training (VET) system of Cyprus EN Cyprus is playing a significant role in dealing with the – TI-30-12-665-EN-C adverse effects of the economic crisis on the labour Short description market and in laying the foundations for future develop- ment. To continue to fulfil the expectations of the Cypriot economy and society, VET is undergoing essential reforms. The structure of VET is being transformed by the introduc- tion of a new modern apprenticeship, an alternative pathway for young people between 14 and 20, and the establishment of post-secondary institutes for technical and vocational education and training, which will offer students an intermediate level of education. The imple- mentation of the new modern apprenticeship has begun and it will become fully operational by 2015. Secondary technical and vocational education provides a broad range of initial training programmes in Cyprus. Its new curricula, expected to be developed by 2015, will enhance the attractiveness of VET and match specialisa- tions with the current needs of the labour market. VET is an important part of and features prominently in the Cyprus lifelong learning strategy. Its main actions include the enhancement of lifelong guidance and counselling services, and the development of a national qualifications framework (NQF). European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training Europe 123, 570 01 Thessaloniki (Pylea), GREECE PO Box 22427, 551 02 Thessaloniki, GREECE Tel. +30 2310490111, Fax +30 2310490020, E-mail: [email protected] 978-92-896-1116-9 Vocational education and training in Cyprus Short description Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2012 A great deal of additional information on the European Union is available on the Internet.
    [Show full text]
  • Responses of the Government of Cyprus to the Report of The
    CPT/Inf (2008) 18 Responses of the Government of Cyprus to the report of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) on its visit to Cyprus from 8 to 17 December 2004 The Cypriot Government has requested the publication of these responses. The report of the CPT on its 2004 visit to Cyprus is set out in document CPT/Inf (2008) 17. Strasbourg, 15 April 2008 The Appendices (only available in Greek) mentioned in this document may be obtained from the Committee's Secretariat. - 3 - CONTENTS Page Response to the request for information in paragraph 47 of the visit report ................................................................................................. 5 Response to the visit report as a whole ................................................................ 7 - 5 - REPORT TO THE CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT ON THE VISIT TO CYPRUS CARRIED OUT BY THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR THE PREVENTION OF TORTURE AND INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT (CPT) FROM 8 TO 17 DECEMBER, 2004 INFORMATION PURSUANT TO ARTICLES 47 AND 161 OF THE REPORT Paragraph 47 of the Report ... It wishes to receive, within one month of receipt of this Report, detailed information on the concrete measures taken to ensure that all persons detained for a prolonged period of time: - are provided with basic personal hygiene products (soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, sanitary towels, towels, etc) and are able to wash every day (including at least one hot shower a week) - are offered activities (recreational - reading material, board games, radio, television, etc. -, educational or otherwise) and at least one hour of outdoor exercise every day. The Republic of Cyprus is acutely aware of all issues in respect of the detention of individuals and gives top priority to the welfare of persons deprived of their liberty.
    [Show full text]
  • General Assembly Distr.: General 15 November 2013
    United Nations A/HRC/WG.6/18/CYP/1 General Assembly Distr.: General 15 November 2013 Original: English Human Rights Council Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review Eighteenth session 27 January – 7 February 2014 National report submitted in accordance with paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21* Cyprus * The present document has been reproduced as received. Its content does not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations. GE.13- A/HRC/WG.6/18/CYP/1 I. Description of the methodology and consultation process for the preparation of the report 1. The present Report has been prepared in line with the guidance provided by the relevant Human Rights Council (HRC) Resolutions and Decisions, including Resolutions No.5/1 and No.16/21 concerning the Review of the work and function of the HRC, as well as the Decision of the HRC17/119. 2. The Report has been prepared by the Law Commissioner of Cyprus, who, pursuant to a Decision of the Council of Ministers (Decision No. 38.958, dated 25/2/1993), is entrusted with ensuring compliance by Cyprus with its reporting obligations under international human rights instruments. It was compiled on the basis of information and data provided by the Ministries and Services having competence for the specific matters. Information was also obtained from the Ombudsman, the Anti-Discrimination Body (ADB), the National Machinery for Women's Rights (NMWR) and the Independent Authority for the Investigation of Allegations and Complaints against the Police (IAIACAP).
    [Show full text]