A government bill currently under consideration would allow for the monitoring of journalists and the removal of confidentiality protections.
Officials claim this is to align with European regulations, but critics argue it more closely resembles recent actions by President Trump, who has barred international news agencies including Associated Press, Reuters and Bloomberg from White House briefings, effectively filtering information released to the public.
Another proposed bill would severely restrict demonstrations, requiring permission from police seven days in advance of any event.
Police would be granted broad powers to disperse gatherings even with prior approval, based on the content of banners, chants heard, or anything deemed to disrupt public order. Officials have labelled these changes as “modernisation”.
Despite reassurances to those concerned about diminishing human rights, state suppression and authoritarianism, critics point to recent arrests.
These include the detention of Karahan and Tattis for displaying a banner at the October 1st parade reading “Republic of Cyprus, the only solution – Apartheid is not a solution”.
In another case, protesters were arrested 20 days after a peaceful demonstration on various pretexts, widely seen as intimidation tactics.
At any moment, police can allege resistance to authority or verbal abuse, placing the burden of proof on citizens to demonstrate they were simply expressing an opinion.
The next anticipated development, as the country follows the path set by Trump, Musk, Orbán and others, is interference with university autonomy. The far-right wing of Parliament regularly seizes opportunities to vilify higher education institutions, ridiculing and undermining their work.
In these times, with Trumpism sweeping through and the far-right advancing unchecked, strong safeguards are needed. Instead, the government continues to implement one authoritarian measure after another.
The president, defying all common sense, plans to visit a prime minister who has been indicted by the International Court of Justice.
The Speaker of Parliament no longer attends Pride events but instead participates in memorial services for Grivas. Meanwhile, schoolchildren are seen giving Nazi salutes.
