The Ministry of Justice, the Law Commissioner and the Law Office are to prepare amendments to a legislation regulating protests.
This was decided at yesterday’s session of the parliamentary Human Rights Committee, which was conducted in a tense climate and examined “the protection of the right to peaceful assembly“.
The discussion was prompted by the recent rebuke from the OSCE regarding the “Public Gatherings and Parades Law of 2025”, against the backdrop of the recent violent police crackdown of a pro-Palestine protest last week, outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Presidential Palace.
As emerged from the discussion, the OSCE was asked to comment on the three-page legislation and responded with 36 pages of recommendations. These express concerns, amongst other things, about whether fundamental rights of Cyprus citizens are being restricted.
For his part, the justice minister said he is open to dialogue and to making changes where necessary. Furthermore, the Law Commissioner, Louiza Zannetou, expressed concern about 10 to 15 points in the legislation based on what the OSCE highlights.
Justice minister disputes criticism but open to improvements
“I wonder if they have understood the philosophy of the law,” said Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis. “Nowhere in the law does the verb ‘prohibited’ appear. Where is the terror law? The junta-like character? The gagging?” he said.
“There is no obligation on the organiser. They have the right to inform the authorities. At the same time, the authorities do not have the right to prohibit. Show me where the explicit obligation exists. The voluntary character is obvious. There is no question of any prohibition of assembly,” Hartsiotis stressed.
The police, he said, have the obligation to suggest changes regarding the direction and location if deemed necessary and useful.
Regarding the OSCE opinion, he stressed the ministry clarifies that several provisions are incorporated into Cyprus’s legislation and legal order.
“There are inaccuracies in the OSCE’s recommendations. For example, on page 11 it states the police have the ability to cancel a protest. This is not true. On page 16, reference is made to the arrest of a protester, which is not true. You will not find such a provision in the law”.
However, he said, there are points that the ministry will consider for possible amendment, such as on page 23 regarding the time the organiser will notify the authorities or on page 27 regarding article 9, that isolated acts of violence do not mean they render an entire event non-peaceful.
“The OSCE nowhere distorts the philosophy of the legislation. On the contrary, it strengthens it. We will proceed with the improvements needed, and we are open to dialogue,” he said. “We respect the recommendations of international organisations and proceed with reforms”.
However, he wondered when else, within two months, a party had demanded the repeal of a law passed by the parliamentary majority. “What is the logic of repeal?” he asked.
OSCE raises concerns over potential restrictions on fundamental rights
Law Commissioner Louiza Zannetou said she studied the OSCE report and found that there are 10 to 15 points that can be corrected and put herself at the disposal of the Ministry of Justice.
Police Deputy Chief Panicos Stavrou said this is the first time police officers have guidelines on how to act at protests.
Addressing MP Koukkoumas, he said they did not try to disperse last Thursday’s protest. “Our officers tried to move the citizens to the pavement. When there was no compliance, they pushed them with appropriate force onto the pavement. There was no attempt to disperse the protest,” he said.
Police unions support law but willing to accept amendments
The police unions presented the new legislation as protection for police officers and regulation of protests. However, the unions are positive about possible amendments to the legislation based on the OSCE’s recommendations.
The president of the Police Force Branch of the Pancyprian Union ISOTITA, Nicos Loizides, said it was right to request an opinion from the OSCE.
However, he disagreed with certain points in the urgent opinion, which focuses only on the law and not on the entire Constitution.
As an oversight, he said, the OSCE does not know that there is the Independent Authority for the Investigation of Allegations and Complaints against the Police (IAIACAP) for citizen complaints.
“It saddens me that the minister and deputy chief left. There was a gap and this became apparent after the incidents in Limassol or the protest in Kolokasi park where Aiantas was used,” he stressed. “We were grasping at the criminal code to act at protests. We did not have a procedure, and finally we have a law,” he said.
For his part, the president of the Cyprus Police Association, Lefteris Kyriacou, said there is a circular that was issued after the legislation was passed.
“We are the first to respect human rights. We are opposed to the legislation being repealed. If there is a need, amendments should be made. We call on MPs and organisations to also respect the rights of police officers,” he said.
