New forms of human trafficking are appearing in our country, since the networks have changed their methods so that they are not noticed.
This emerges from the information and data held by the Police and the Anti-Human Trafficking Office. From covert brides sent to Cyprus to perform sham weddings for a fee and the sexual exploitation of workers in some pubs, human trafficking is now carried out electronically through messaging in apps or even legal work.
According to information, women from European countries who do not need a residence and work permit, come to Cyprus and declare that they will work in specific sectors. This is used as a disguise for sex rings to exploit through ads and messages in apps. Also, women come to Cyprus and directly through messages on apps they are offered for sex.
This form of sexual exploitation is difficult to detect, however, the authorities carry out frequent checks on various premises (pubs, clubs and farms for labour trafficking).
Another form of economic exploitation concerns the arrival of small groups of people for begging in which children are also used. This year, there is a limited number of cases that have been brought to court and concern human trafficking or labour trafficking, however, the positive thing is that with the operations of the Police, this type of incident has been limited. Cyprus remains the first category of the US in the list of countries taking measures against trafficking in human beings, which shows that the State Department is satisfied with the actions taken in this area.
At the center of a conference organized yesterday by the Ministry of Justice and Public Order on the occasion of the Pan-European Day against Trafficking in Human Beings, which is set for tomorrow, was the strengthening of legislation, the more effective action of the competent Services and the timely identification and protection of victims.
In his address, the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Kostas Fytiris, underlined that the fight against trafficking in human beings is an essential priority of the government, in the context of its policy to deal with all forms of violence, coercion and exploitation. The Minister referred to modern forms of human trafficking, including sexual exploitation, forced labour and child exploitation, pointing out the additional challenges posed by the exploitation of the internet by criminal networks.
Referring to the Ministry's initiatives, he noted that it has proceeded with the public consultation of an amending bill for the transposition of the new European Directive, with the aim of strengthening the legislative framework for dealing with trafficking in human beings and protecting victims. At the same time, he stressed the importance of the operational action of the Police, targeted checks in high-risk areas, staff training and cooperation with European and international authorities. He also made special reference to the need to identify and deprive criminal networks of illegal economic benefits from human exploitation.
Mr. Fytiris pointed out that, despite the significant progress made by Cyprus, challenges remain, notably in the early identification of victims and their access to essential protection and support. As he characteristically stated, "the real success of our efforts is measured not only by arrests and convictions, but also by our ability to protect people who have been exploited and enable them to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity."
In the meantime, for the 5th year in a row, Cyprus is in the first category of the State Department, said the Chief of Police in his greeting, which was read by the Assistant Chief of Operations, Marios Agiotis. As he stressed, on the part of the Police, particular importance is attached to the specialized investigation of cases, the utilization of information and modern investigative methods, as well as the development of operational capacity to identify forms of exploitation that may remain covert. He noted that at the heart of the Police's action is the man and our effort to regain his freedom, safety and dignity for a man who was a victim, through our intervention. The first contact with the Police can be the turning point between the continuation of exploitation and the release of a person from it, he remarked
