Between 2020 and 2026, 29 convictions were recorded for human trafficking cases in Cyprus, according to police data, “this number, however, does not necessarily reflect the true extent of the phenomenon,” said Maria Stylianou Lottidi, Commissioner for Administration and Protection of Human Rights, in her message for the European Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
She also referred to the 2024 World Report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), according to which 38% of trafficking victims identified worldwide in 2022 were children. “Children whose exploitation robs them not only of their freedom, but also of their very childhood.”
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She added that in its latest assessment of Cyprus, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) highlighted the need for the timely identification of victims and noted delays in the process of recognizing them, which may leave them without critical assistance and protection.
It emphasized that human trafficking is one of the most serious crimes against human dignity, which often goes unnoticed, behind closed doors, in workplaces, in private homes, and through new forms of exploitation facilitated by technology.
“Behind every case there are not just numbers, but human lives, including children,” the Commissioner said, noting that October 18 “reminds us that, even today, thousands of people are deprived of their dignity, freedom, and autonomy through conditions of exploitation, coercion, and violence.”
She also referred to the need for the timely identification of victims of human trafficking and the provision of protection at all stages, regardless of their official recognition or their cooperation with law enforcement authorities, while noting that many victims never report their exploitation due to fear of reprisals, economic and psychological dependence, the threat of deportation, distrust of the authorities, and the trauma they have suffered.
As she noted, human trafficking is a “crime of silence,” as many victims remain trapped in exploitation without filing a complaint. She emphasized that “the absence of a complaint does not mean the absence of exploitation” and that a victim’s silence cannot be interpreted as consent.
She noted that the state must have mechanisms in place to promptly recognize signs of exploitation and immediately activate victim protection, without expecting them to prove their own vulnerability.
In particular, he noted that protection cannot be provided only after a person has been officially recognized as a victim, nor can it depend on their cooperation with law enforcement authorities or on the outcome of criminal proceedings. Rather, it should cover all stages, from the identification of a potential victim to their ultimate rehabilitation, including safe housing, information, legal assistance, medical and psychological support, as well as opportunities for social and economic reintegration.
He made special mention of the need to protect children and individuals facing multiple forms of vulnerability, taking into account gender, age, disability, immigration status, and the specific circumstances of each individual.
At the same time, she emphasized the need for effective coordination among the relevant agencies, noting that communication gaps, administrative delays, and a lack of continuity in victim support create gaps in their protection. As she noted, while the administration has different responsibilities and procedures, for the victim, protection and justice can be a matter of life or death.
Referring to her Office’s interventions, she noted that issues have come to light concerning the vulnerability of foreign workers, recognized victims’ access to their rights, support for women who have suffered sexual exploitation, as well as the difficulties that arise when different administrative procedures affect the protection of the same individual.
She emphasized that “recognizing a person as a victim does not automatically equate to their protection,” adding that the enshrinement of a right in legislation does not necessarily imply its full exercise.
In conclusion, the Commissioner reaffirmed the institution’s steadfast commitment to combating human trafficking through the investigation of cases, highlighting systemic weaknesses, and providing training and raising awareness among the relevant agencies.
Finally, he emphasized that combating human trafficking is not limited to punishing perpetrators, but requires a system that identifies victims in a timely manner, provides them with protection, and ensures the conditions for their recovery and reintegration.
Source: CNA
