Filenews 21 November 2020 - by Michalis Hatzivasilis
A top priority for the Ministry of Justice and Public Order in 2021 remains the promotion and completion of judicial reform. In addition, the aim is to modernise the law in its areas of competence, to strengthen gender equality, to further upgrade the prison system, to combat crime and to combat corruption.
This is what Minister Emily Yolitis said in a note to the House on the occasion of the discussion of the Ministry of Justice's budget for 2021. At the same time, it adds that the aim is to establish a more effective justice system, which will be less costly and ensure transparency and quality in the administration of justice. With regard to the Strategic Objectives of the Ministry, these are summarised in the following pillars:
- Quality upgrading of services offered to citizens.
- Legal and effective protection of citizens and safeguarding human rights.
- Modernisation, efficiency and improvement of structures.
- Transparency, prevention and the fight against corruption.
Especially with regard to the fight against corruption, Mrs Jolitis refers to the three bills pending in the House concerning supplementary protection measures for persons reporting acts of corruption, both in the public and private sectors, on the bill establishing an Independent Anti-Corruption Authority and on transparency in decision-making concerning the Parliament. , but in order to be promoted, the Independent Authority bill must first be passed.
As regards the fight against corruption in the Police, among the measures taken are the installation of a video surveillance system in places where there is an increased possibility of excessive violence, the installation of cameras in service vehicles (traffic controls) and the installation of an Automatic Vehicle Location system in service vehicles, with a view to the possibility of electronic control of the movement of vehicles. With regard to planning for 2021, an investment in the motor fleet is foreseen for the effective operation of the Police amounting to €1,600,000 for the purchase of operational and auxiliary vehicles and €800,000 for the maintenance of motor vehicles.
It is also planned to purchase the three new Category B vessels for the Port Police (expected to start in 2020 and be completed in 2022) at an estimated cost of €8,925,000. The expenditure will be 100% covered by the European Funds Unit of the Ministry of Interior.
The purchase of a drone system, which will take place as part of the co-financed CERETAB project, totalling €334,429, is also being promoted. The process is in the process of evaluating the offer and is expected to be implemented in 2021.
In Egomi goes the State Archive
To solve the problem with the housing for the State Archive there has been a positive response to a request to the Ministry of Finance to temporarily grant a building of the former Cooperative Bank of Cyprus to Egomi. In this building, the entire administration of the State Archives and one of its six archives will be moved, after carrying out the necessary work in the premises.
