More than 70 representatives of Cypriot state institutions, independent oversight bodies, civil society organisations, legal professionals, European institutions, and international partners participated in a roundtable discussion dedicated to the findings of the 2025 report of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) on its visit to Cyprus.
The event, supported by the joint EU-Council of Europe project “Technical Support for More Effective and Resilient NPM”, provided a platform for constructive dialogue on the CPT’s recommendations following its tenth visit to Cyprus, conducted in April 2025. While the CPT report acknowledges positive developments in several areas, it also identifies a number of ongoing concerns and challenges requiring further attention. The findings raise important questions concerning prison governance, respect for human dignity, the protection of vulnerable groups, and Cyprus’s compliance with European human rights standards.
Participants engaged in a discussion on the report’s conclusions, specific evidence of problems and their implications for detention reform in Cyprus. The exchanges focused on identifying practical and sustainable measures to address the CPT’s recommendations, strengthen safeguards for persons deprived of their liberty, and enhance cooperation among all relevant stakeholders.
"The CPT recommendations are more than observations. They provide a roadmap for action and their effective implementation is key to achieving tangible improvements in places of detention." - Maria Stylianou Lottides, Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights
The event contributed to increasing awareness and understanding of the CPT’s findings, promoting informed dialogue on detention reform, and strengthening recognition of the role of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) in preventing ill-treatment and monitoring places of detention. It also reinforced collaboration between public institutions, oversight bodies, and civil society organisations working to improve detention conditions and uphold human rights standards in Cyprus.
Participants underlined the importance of continued constructive dialogue and cooperation to ensure that CPT recommendations are effectively translated into tangible improvements for all persons deprived of their liberty in Cyprus.
The project, "Technical support for more effective and resilient National Preventive Mechanisms," was initiated on 12 September 2024. Co-funded by the European Union through the Technical Support Instrument and implemented by the Council of Europe in cooperation with the European Commission, the project supports Ireland and Cyprus in developing operational tools, raising awareness, and enhancing the capacity of NPMs.