Filenews 2 March 2025
In the 14 months since I assumed my duties as Political Head at the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, we have focused on implementing existing and launching new projects to achieve the objectives of the Governance Programme. The main actions and projects implemented in 2024 are:
– The first phase of upgrading the building infrastructure in the Prisons has been completed. In this way, the problem of overpopulation is largely addressed. At the same time, measures were launched to definitively resolve it by 2028. We proceeded with staff recruitment and technological upgrading of systems.
– As a continuation of the implementation of the reforms in the Judiciary, alternative and more economical ways of resolving disputes were promoted. Initially, the institutionalization of mediation in civil disputes.
– The competent services for the prosecution of financial crime were strengthened with the establishment of the Cypriot-American cooperation and the direct contribution of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
– Solutions were launched to accelerate the process of creating special infrastructure and detention conditions for juvenile offenders. By decision of the Council of Ministers, the existing detention area for irregular migrants in Mennogeia will be used, following the necessary upgrades.
– For the protection of victims of domestic violence, the ELPIS smart application was piloted for the immediate notification of the competent authorities. It is expected to become fully operational in 2025.
We remain committed to the implementation of the commitments of the President of the Republic on the issues of our competence, despite any challenges we have to face. Often the issues we have to deal with require broad consultation, e.g. the draft law on fan violence, where we proceeded to a second round of consultation with stakeholders. The incorporation of the recommendations into the legislation in a legally appropriate manner is another challenge in relation to the timetables, which we are trying to overcome with our constructive cooperation with the Legal Service.
High on our priorities for 2025 are the important institutional reforms of the Law and Audit Office, the tackling of fan violence and the further technological upgrading of prison systems.
The proposed reforms in the Legal and Audit Office fall within the framework of the implementation of a broader modernization agenda of the Government, which aims at optimizing the way important institutions of the State operate and consolidating the principles of the Rule of Law.
The enhanced legal framework for the prevention and suppression of fan violence and the regulation of the operation of supporters' associations is soon being promoted in Parliament. The interventions incorporated in the two bills attempt to fill gaps and offer more effective tools to deal with violence, while creating a safe environment for fans.
The challenges for 2025 include the further technological upgrade of the systems in Central Prisons. The enhancement of technological capabilities and the acquisition of modern equipment are important tools to be able to deal with security issues inside and outside the prison that often arise in the form of importing and using illegal objects and substances.
EVALUATION OF THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND PUBLIC ORDER
In difficult times, Hartsiotis was drowned by the pathogens of 10 years
By Michalis Hadjivassilis
He took over at a time when the police were on the wall replacing Anna Prokopiou, after the sad incidents in Paphos and Limassol, with Syrians and far-right elements throwing parties and the authorities being spectators.
Justice and Public Order Minister Marios Hartsiotis went straight into the deep end and is perhaps the only minister who has been asked to resign more than three times in recent months. The challenges for the current justice minister have been many since he took charge of the police and prisons, services that have sent home many of his predecessors. In his favour he can be blamed for not backing down in difficult times, trying to provide solutions when serious problems arose and to some extent managing to change situations, but he needs more time.
He is credited with opening a new wing in prisons where he will contribute to the problem of decongestion, but despite the measures drugs and mobile phones have not stopped entering the cells.
As far as the police are concerned, it turned out that the problem of corruption with uniformed officers was bigger and a lot needs to be done. As in the matter of discipline, due to the frequent involvement of uniformed men in serious cases. However, the leadership change project has yet to pay off, although it appeared that the police are trying to regain control of both fan violence and organized crime. Especially on the issue of violence in stadiums, for the first time there was an open conflict between the Ministry-the Police and the CFA-unions, two bills were prepared, but the incidents of violence have not disappeared.
At the moment the Police have serious weaknesses in the performance of their duties, there is an admission of decades of pathogens that are being tried to be corrected, there is still a long way to go. It is expected that this year, with completely new police leadership and prison system upgrades, there will be a reversal of the situation. There is still much to be done (juvenile prisons, driving school for delinquents, prevention of juvenile delinquency, etc.) but there is a will to act.
