Nicosia, Cyprus. A bill amending the Constitution of Cyprus to allow the lifting of the confidentiality of private communications will be sent to the House of Representatives plenum on Thursday as part of efforts to combat terrorism and organised crime.
Bill moves to plenary vote
Chairman of the House legal affairs committee Nicos Tornaritis said on Friday that the procedure was being pushed forward despite objections from Akel. To amend a constitutional article, at least 38 of the 56 MPs must vote in favour.
Calls for swift adoption
Tornaritis, Justice Minister Costas Fitiris and attorney-general George Savvides stressed the need for the legislation to be adopted without delay. The plenum will first need to approve the bill on revising the Constitution, before voting on the role of the intelligence service and the lifting of confidentiality.
Positions raised by parties and officials
Akel MPs expressed opposition to the lifting of communications confidentiality, while Diko MP Panikos Leonidou suggested that the power should instead be assigned to an independent authority.
Savvides urged the MPs to examine the issue with an open mind and said Cyprus is perhaps the only EU country that did not have this “superweapon” at its disposal to help combat organised crime and protect national security.
Deputy attorney-general Savvas Angelides said the European Public Prosecutor’s Office had informed the Law Office on Friday morning that the bill should also cover crimes falling under its jurisdiction to allow the exchange of information when necessary.
Head of the Cyprus Intelligence Service (KYP) Tasos Tzionis called for the bills to be passed without restrictive clauses, saying it was necessary to maintain flexibility.
How do you think Cyprus should balance national security needs with safeguards on private communications?
