**Elam Defends Decision to Exclude Anti-Hunting Activists from Parliamentary Hearing**
In a recent statement, Linos Papayiannis, an MP from the nationalist party Elam and chairman of the House environment committee, announced that he will not invite a specific group of anti-hunting activists to an upcoming committee debate. Papayiannis characterized the activists' behavior as having crossed “the limits of what is tolerable and permissible.”
During an interview on CyBC, Papayiannis clarified that his decision was not a blanket rejection of all activists opposed to hunting, but rather targeted at a particular group that he accused of advocating for a complete ban on hunting in Cyprus. He expressed concern over the conduct of these activists, stating that their actions have included obstructing licensed hunters, which he described as a violation of the law.
Papayiannis reported that hunters in regions such as Larnaca and Limassol have faced harassment from activists, despite hunting legally with valid licenses. He claimed that some activists have even positioned themselves in front of armed hunters to impede their activities. According to Papayiannis, there are approximately ten activists who operate in Cyprus seasonally, with two residing permanently on the island, and a few local supporters. He noted that most of these activists hail from European countries, including Italy and Sweden.
Confirming that the organization would not be invited to the committee, Papayiannis stated, “I am neither going to invite them nor do I recognise them.” The agenda for the committee debate, which is titled “environmental activists and the phenomena surrounding them,” has garnered support from both the Democratic Party (Diko) and the Democratic Rally (Disy).
The decision to exclude the activists has sparked criticism from various quarters. Akel MP Marina Nikolaou pointed out that Elam initially sought to frame the discussion in more aggressive terms, accusing activists of “uncontrolled activities.” This language was modified after objections from Akel, leading to the current agenda title. Nikolaou argued that the committee should prioritize addressing poaching rather than focusing on those who expose it.
Former MP Alexandra Attalides echoed this sentiment, highlighting concerns about reported threats and assaults against environmental campaigners. She emphasized the importance of protecting those who advocate for wildlife conservation rather than vilifying them.
In response to the controversy, Diko spokesman Panikos Leonidou defended the committee's right to hold the discussion, asserting that “not all these organisations are the same.” This statement reflects a recognition of the diverse viewpoints within the environmental activism community.
The situation has prompted the Animal Party to organize a protest outside the parliament on Wednesday, expressing their discontent with the committee's approach to the debate. Additionally, the organization Alma raised concerns that the wording of the agenda item seems to prejudge the debate's outcome before it even commences.
As the committee prepares for its discussion, the exclusion of the anti-hunting activists has opened up a broader conversation about the relationship between hunting, environmental activism, and wildlife protection in Cyprus. The ongoing debate highlights the complexities surrounding conservation efforts and the varying perspectives on how best to approach issues related to hunting and poaching in the region.
The upcoming committee meeting is expected to draw attention from both supporters and opponents of hunting, as well as environmental advocates, as they seek to navigate the contentious issues at the intersection of wildlife conservation and hunting practices in Cyprus.