Cyprus Government Faces Calls for Reform After European Court of Human Rights Ruling

Strategic Insights -

The government of Cyprus is under pressure to reform its justice system after a European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruling condemned the handling of a rape case. The case, which dates back to 2011, was criticized for serious flaws in how the authorities handled the woman's complaint and the way the Law Office treated her. The ECtHR ordered Cyprus to pay £35,470 to the woman and £20,000 in damages.

The government spokesman, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, emphasized the importance of implementing the ECtHR's decisions and recommendations to improve procedures, especially in sensitive matters such as rape or abuse of women. He also highlighted the government's efforts to modernize institutions, with 38 bills submitted to parliament aimed at modernizing and ensuring the separation of powers within the Law Office and other bodies.

The President, Nikos Christodoulides, is being urged to take action against the deputy attorney-general, Savvas Angelides, after the woman at the center of the case publicly demanded his resignation and accused him of sexism. Angelides has been criticized for failing to protect the woman's basic human rights and for allowing a case to be withdrawn from court.

Key Takeaways:

  • The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has condemned the handling of a rape case in Cyprus, criticizing the serious flaws in how the authorities handled the woman's complaint and the way the Law Office treated her.
  • The ECtHR ordered Cyprus to pay £35,470 to the woman and £20,000 in damages.
  • The government spokesman, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, emphasized the importance of implementing the ECtHR's decisions and recommendations to improve procedures, especially in sensitive matters such as rape or abuse of women.
  • The government has submitted 38 bills to parliament aimed at modernizing and ensuring the separation of powers within the Law Office and other bodies.
  • The President, Nikos Christodoulides, is being urged to take action against the deputy attorney-general, Savvas Angelides, after the woman at the center of the case publicly demanded his resignation and accused him of sexism.
  • The chair of the House Human Rights Committee, Irene Charalambides, has criticized the Law Office for not realizing the seriousness of the court's decision and for not having the political will to apply protocols.
  • Political parties, the Alma movement, and other organizations are calling for change in the justice system in Cyprus and for the resignation of the country's two top legal officials.

Statistics:

  • £35,470: the amount the ECtHR ordered Cyprus to pay to the woman as compensation for her legal costs.
  • £20,000: the amount the ECtHR ordered Cyprus to pay to the woman as damages.
  • 38: the number of bills submitted to parliament aimed at modernizing and ensuring the separation of powers within the Law Office and other bodies.
  • 2011: the year the rape case occurred.
  • April 2021: the month the woman reported the rape.
  • 18: the age of the woman when she was raped.
  • 28: the age of the woman when she reported the rape.

Sources:

  • "Woman at the centre of European court's rape ruling says attorney-general must go". Cyprus Mail, 2023.
  • "Government defers to European court on rape ruling". Cyprus Mail, 2023.
  • "Alma movement urges Christodoulides to act after European court's ruling". Cyprus Mail, 2023.