**4,655 Human Rights Complaints Received in 2024**
In 2024, the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner in Cyprus received a total of 4,655 complaints regarding human rights violations, as reported by Commissioner Maria Stylianou-Lottides during the presentation of her annual report to President Nikos Christodoulides on Monday.
The report indicates that the commissioner’s office managed 2,507 new cases throughout the year and successfully closed 2,709 cases, averaging approximately 260 cases per month. This increase in activity reflects both a heightened workload and the operational effectiveness of the institution.
Stylianou-Lottides also presented annual reports from the equality and anti-discrimination agency, as well as the national mechanism for the prevention of torture. These reports highlight significant interventions made by the commissioner’s office in the areas of equality, the fight against discrimination, and the protection of individuals deprived of their liberty.
The commissioner emphasized the evolution of her office into a "multifaceted, independent human rights protection body." In addition to her role as ombudswoman, the office now exercises seven distinct specialized powers that are grounded in national, European, and international law.
Furthermore, Stylianou-Lottides noted the new responsibilities assigned to the institution as part of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum. This new mandate will see the office act as an independent fundamental rights mechanism, tasked with monitoring the respect for fundamental rights during the implementation of control procedures at the European Union’s external borders.
While the commissioner welcomed these new responsibilities as a recognition of the institution’s credibility and effectiveness, she also highlighted the need for additional personnel and resources to adequately fulfill its expanding mandate. This call for support underscores the ongoing challenges faced by human rights institutions in addressing an increasing volume of cases and ensuring the protection of rights for all individuals.
The report serves as a crucial reflection of the state of human rights in Cyprus and the efforts being made to address violations and promote equality and justice within the country.