Cyprus: More shelters needed for trafficking victims

By Natalie HamiPublished on April 7, 2011

NO LEGAL framework is currently in place to allow non-governmental organisations to set up shelters for victims of human trafficking, Labour Minister Sotiroulla Charalambous said yesterday.

Charalambous was speaking at a seminar focusing on the ‘changing facets of trafficking in human beings’. The state has one shelter, which was set up in November 2007. Since then it has provided support for around 148 people, the minister said.

“There is no framework that allows other organisations to establish a shelter so we’re working on this so that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) can offer this type of shelter,” said Charalambous.

According to Josie Charalambous, policy coordinator at the Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies (MIGS), many NGOs have shown an interest in setting up their own shelters for human trafficking victims.

However she stated that the problem is that there is no sponsorship available for such a project.

Speaking generally on trafficking, Charalambous stressed the significance of three areas being focused on in efforts to crack down on human trafficking: prevention, awareness and action.

“It’s important to have common perceptions….steps are being made towards making Cyprus aware,” she said. The actions include support to people who have been recognised as victims, the adoption of a new stricter policy regarding the granting of work permits to women from third, and helping recognised victims to find a job along with becoming integrated back into society.

Interior Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis echoed similar sentiments saying that if society “does not stand like a protective shield for vulnerable groups,” all of the state’s efforts will fall by the wayside.

Cyprus may also have to implement a new EU directive that takes a more human approach to the issue, covering law provisions, prosecution of offenders and victim support. Under the directive, trafficked individuals will be un-punishable for crimes they were forced to commit while being trafficked.

Police have recently uncovered several shocking incidents concerning the trade in humans, such as the possible trafficking of immigrant babies, in which women were held captive until they give birth and then their baby given up for adoption, as well as a prostitution ring allegedly headed by a high-ranking police officer.

Charalambous also assured that on the issue of private adoptions a bill is being prepared so that no more adoptions can take place unless they go through the welfare services.

Sarak Jakiel, associate director of the Polaris Project, an American organisation working on combatting human trafficking, said yesterday that some of the ways forward is the establishment of a hotline, access to a work permit and a link between social services and law enforcement providers. Liam Vernon, head of UK Human Trafficking Centre also highlighted the need to work with other authorities to locate victims.

“Trafficking is not actually defined as a crime,” said Mine Yucel, director of Prologue Consulting Ltd, who cited the fact that the Turkish Cypriot community have a long way to go in terms of support for victims of human trafficking. She cited many shortcomings of the system apart from the lack of legislation, such as a lack of legal services or shelter.