Unions have the right to express their positions, make recommendations, and voice dissent, but they cannot dictate the operations and decisions of law enforcement agencies, says Justice Minister Kostas Fytiris in an interview with the “Sunday Mail” newspaper on Sunday, while also referring to the ongoing plans for the construction of a new Central Prison and the implementation of the “NESTOR” plan to address serious traffic incidents.
In his interview, Mr. Fytiris discusses the role of law enforcement unions and the decision-making process, noting that unionization is a guaranteed right, while the operational functioning of law enforcement agencies and decision-making are the responsibility of the competent institutional bodies.
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“Unionization is a constitutional right, and the Ministry fully respects this right,” he states, noting that institutional dialogue with the unions is “useful and necessary,” particularly on issues concerning working conditions, the well-being, and the safety of personnel.
He notes, however, that consultation is one thing and decision-making is another. “Unions represent employees and have every right to express their positions, suggestions, and disagreements. However, the administration of the security forces, their operational functioning, and decision-making are the responsibility of the competent institutional bodies, which are also accountable for these decisions,” he states.
He adds that consultation must be substantive and conducted in good faith, but once decisions are made in accordance with the law, “they must be implemented.”
Planning for the new Central Prison is underway
Regarding the Central Prisons, the Minister of Justice highlights the need to build a new correctional facility, noting that “the current prisons were built about 135 years ago for a completely different number of inmates and a completely different correctional philosophy.”
As he explains, the goal is not simply to increase capacity, but to modernize the correctional system through better categorization of inmates and the strengthening of programs for education, rehabilitation, and reintegration. Particular emphasis, he notes, will be placed on addressing substance abuse, as well as educating and preparing inmates for their return to society.
At the same time, alternative forms of serving sentences are being considered, such as open prisons and electronic monitoring for inmates who meet the relevant criteria.
Regarding the location of the new prisons, Mr. Fytiris states that the government’s primary plan remains Mathiatis, despite residents’ objections. As he explains, significant preparatory work has already been done, and a plan is being drafted, which will be presented to the affected communities before final decisions are made.
At the same time, alternative locations are being considered, with Agios Sozomenos being among those that have been publicly mentioned. The Minister makes it clear, however, that at this stage, neither the abandonment of Mathiatis nor the selection of another location should be ruled out.
“Our goal is to make the best possible decision, based on objective criteria, so that the project can move forward properly and without further unjustified delays,” he states.
“NESTOR” and Addressing Serious Traffic Accidents
Referring to the hours-long traffic chaos that occurred recently on the Limassol-Nicosia highway after a heavy vehicle overturned, the Minister acknowledges shortcomings in the coordination of the relevant agencies.
As he notes, the incident led to the development of the new “NESTOR,” which defines the operational responsibilities of the agencies involved, sets specific response times, and includes preparedness exercises.
“In a serious traffic incident, it is not enough for each agency to simply perform its own role correctly. There must be unified coordination from the very beginning, clear responsibilities, and the simultaneous mobilization of all necessary resources,” he notes, adding that a national drill involving all relevant agencies will take place in August.
Efforts to combat organized crime are being strengthened
Furthermore, regarding reforms to combat organized crime, the Minister refers in the interview to the new Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (DAOE), which has been described as the “FBI of Cyprus.”
As Mr. Fytiris notes, combating criminal networks cannot be limited to individual investigations and arrests. The new structure brings together operational, financial, analytical, and digital expertise so that investigations can focus on criminal organizations as a whole.
Particular emphasis will be placed on drug trafficking, money laundering, the use of corporate structures to conceal criminal proceeds, and international cooperation with Europol and Eurojust, the report states.
The Effectiveness of Judicial Reform
Regarding judicial reform, the Minister acknowledges that delays in the courts remain one of the most persistent institutional problems, despite the progress that has been made.
He refers, among other things, to the legislation on the Court of Appeals, the digitization of case management, and programs to clear backlogs of old cases, noting that the success of the reforms will not be judged solely by the enactment of legislation.
“It will be judged by how much trial times are reduced, how many backlogged cases are resolved, to what extent postponements are reduced, and how quickly citizens receive final decisions,” he states.
Finally, he notes that a substantial improvement in the situation requires not only legislative changes but also more judges, legal staff, administrative personnel, technology, and modern court administration.
Source: CNA
