The Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies issued a joint statement together with other 14 organisations, including Caritas Cyprus, Cyprus Stop Trafficking, KISA, Generation for Change and the Cyprus Refugee Council, welcoming the transfer of responsibilities to coordinate the fight against trafficking in human beings and the Multidisciplinary Coordinating Group from the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection (DMMIP) to the Minister of Justice.
The transfer of the Multidisciplinary Coordinating Group to the Ministry of Justice is expected to place the coordination of actions in a framework focused on human rights and accountability, in accordance with Law 60(I)/2014 and the National Action Plan 2023–2026. Organisations thanked the House of Representatives and in particular the Parliamentary Group on Human Rights and Equality between Men and Women for responding to their demands and the recognition of the role of civil society as an institutional partner in policymaking.
The organisations urged the authorities to follow suit on a series of points:
- To appoint and fund an independent National Rapporteur, as provided for in European legislation and in the recommendations of the Council of Europe's GRETA expert group, with responsibility for monitoring actions, collecting data and ensuring accountability.
- Ensure regular meetings, transparent functioning and meaningful participation of government agencies, civil society and independent experts in the PSO.
- Establish systematic training on interdisciplinary collaboration and the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for all professionals involved, including social welfare officers, police officers, immigration officers, health providers and interpreters.
- Ensure the proper implementation of the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), guaranteeing timely identification, referral and support of victims, based on a trauma-informed, gender-sensitive and human rights-based approach.
- Provide adequate and sustainable funding for victim support services, including NGOs that complement state-provided care.
- Adopt a survivor-centered approach, prioritising their voices and autonomy and addressing the root causes of trafficking, such as gender inequality, economic exclusion, and violence against women.
- Develop and adequately fund gender- and trauma-sensitive integration services, ensuring access to i) timely and comprehensive medical care, including mental and gynecological care; ii) timely information on rights, residence status and case progress; iii) Legal support throughout victim identification and legal proceedings; and iv) vocational training, psycho-educational and social support and economic empowerment opportunities.
- Recognise and strengthen the role of civil society as an equal partner in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of policies.