Ayia Napa, Cyprus. A UK Channel 4 investigative report alleging labour exploitation and sexual harassment in Ayia Napa clubs has sparked scrutiny of how Cypriot authorities responded to the claims. The report was described as having been prepared over months and raised broader concerns about the state’s coordination on human trafficking cases.
Channel 4 allegations and initial local reaction
Channel 4 broadcast an investigative report alleging labour exploitation, sexual harassment, and other violations by owners and managers of clubs in Ayia Napa.
In the immediate aftermath, no official reaction from the Republic was reported. The Mayor of Ayia Napa said the case appeared to be an isolated incident he was hearing about for the first time, added that illegal employment of staff was not his responsibility, and said his main concern was protecting the city’s “good” name and tourist image.
Police statements follow in subsequent days
On the second day after the revelations, a police spokesperson said the case would be investigated. On the third day, the Head of the Police Office for Combating Human Trafficking also intervened.
No official position was reported from the Ministry of Justice or the Law Office of the Republic.
Role and activity of the coordinating group
The Deputy Ministry of Migration was described as having made no public reaction, despite leading the Multidisciplinary Coordinating Group for combating human trafficking. The group is a horizontal committee established under the 2014 Law on the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking and Exploitation of Persons and the Protection of Victims, intended to coordinate government departments and institutions with responsibilities in this area.
Under the law, the committee must meet at least four times a year and is tasked with ensuring rapid responses so victims can be immediately protected and assisted without delay and justice can be facilitated.
The article states the committee did not meet in 2025, met twice in 2024, and that no minutes were found documenting meetings for 2023, 2022, or 2021.
Dispute over which ministry should chair the body
According to the article, the Deputy Ministry of Migration insisted it should be the competent authority to chair the multidisciplinary body, taking over from the Ministry of Interior, which had held responsibility since 2014.
The article also says NGOs working on the issue joined forces with Rita Superman, a Disy member of parliament and former head of the Police Office for Combating Human Trafficking, to propose assigning responsibility to the Ministry of Justice, but did not receive a positive response from the Christodoulides government.
What steps do you think authorities should take to ensure rapid coordination and victim protection in trafficking cases?