In its latest evaluation report on Cyprus, covering the period 2020-2024, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) evaluates the measures taken to prevent vulnerabilities to trafficking in human beings, detect and support vulnerable victims, and punish the offenders.
The report acknowledges progress in some areas, including the establishment of an anti-trafficking unit within the Social Welfare Services and the increase in the staff of the Police Office for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. GRETA also commends Cyprus for the adoption of the 2023-2026 National Strategy against human trafficking. The National Referral Mechanism has led to an increase in the detection of presumed victims of trafficking, in particular amongst asylum seekers, as well as victims of labour exploitation.
On the other hand, the number of formally identified victims of trafficking has decreased (110 over the period 2020 - August 2024). The report stresses the need for more proactive victim identification, ensuring that formal victim recognition is not contingent on the possibility of prosecution. Six-month delays currently observed in the identification process risk leaving victims without critical assistance.
The report raises particular concern over the situation of migrant workers, including domestic workers. Third-country nationals, excluded from the minimum wage regime, are often confined to specific sectors, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation. GRETA calls on the Cypriot authorities to strengthen measures to protect migrant workers by ensuring equal labour rights and protections, enhancing oversight of domestic work, and reducing workers’ dependency on individual employers.
The majority of the presumed victims of trafficking among asylum seekers arrive through the northern part of Cyprus. GRETA is particularly concerned by reports that since mid-May 2024, asylum seekers, including highly vulnerable individuals with serious health issues, have been systematically pushed back into the buffer zone. There have also been pushbacks of foreign nationals (mostly Syrian) arriving to Cyprus by boat. Asylum seekers face prolonged exclusion from the labour market, further heightening their risk of trafficking. GRETA urges the Cypriot authorities to put an end to forced returns (pushbacks) of asylum seekers, to carry out systematic vulnerability assessments at asylum reception centres, and to guarantee early access to support, healthcare, and employment for asylum seekers.
The report highlights the vulnerability of unaccompanied and separated children to exploitation due to their limited access to health care and education, as well as shortcomings in the exercise of legal guardianship. GRETA calls on the authorities to ensure that unaccompanied and separated children are placed in safe and appropriate accommodation and have access to education as early as possible, as well as that the age assessment procedure is conducted without delays and in line with international standards.
Further recommendations in the report for the Cypriot authorities include the following:
• Guarantee victim assistance: GRETA calls for all presumed victims, including those identified during the asylum procedure, to receive specialised assistance and adequate accommodation. The government must ensure sustainable funding for NGOs providing essential services to victims.
• Improve access to legal aid and compensation: Victims must have access to free legal aid at an early stage of the criminal proceedings, including in order to claim compensation from the perpetrators. GRETA stresses the urgent need to establish a state compensation fund, as required by Cypriot law but not yet implemented.
• Specify the recovery and reflection period: Cyprus must legally ensure that a recovery and reflection period is granted whenever there are reasonable grounds to believe that a person is a victim of trafficking, i.e. prior to formal identification as a victim.
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The Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) is an independent body which monitors the way countries implement the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. All 46 member states of the Council of Europe are bound by the Convention, as well as non-member states Belarus and Israel.
