Justice and Public Order Minister Costas Fytiris met with Alan Mitchell, President of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT), noting that the Ministry takes the observations and recommendations of international bodies seriously while Mitchell expressed his satisfaction with the briefing he received on measures currently underway.
A Justice Ministry statement says Mitchell is in Cyprus as a guest at an event organised by the Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights (Ombudsman), in cooperation with the Council of Europe, to present and discuss the main findings and recommendations of the CPT’s report on its 2025 visit to Cyprus.
In a private meeting with the Minister, issues were discussed concerning detention conditions, the operation of the Prisons, staff working conditions, and broader matters related to the protection of the rights of persons deprived of their liberty, a Ministry press release said.
The Minister also informed the CPT President about actions in progress aimed at improving detention conditions at the Central Prisons, as well as the planning underway for the new Prisons project. Mitchell expressed his satisfaction with the open and substantive exchange of views with the Minister and with the update he received on ongoing measures.
Particular reference was made to projects and interventions being implemented or planned, both to address existing problems and to create a more modern, functional and secure detention framework, for the benefit of both inmates and staff.
Fytiris emphasised that the Ministry treats the observations and recommendations of international organisations with seriousness, noting that improving detention conditions is a matter of the rule of law, human dignity and institutional responsibility.
He also stressed that this effort is not limited to isolated interventions but forms part of an overall plan to upgrade the country’s penitentiary system.