Nicosia, Cyprus. Human rights commissioner Maria Stylianou-Lottides said on Monday that her office received 4,655 complaints about human rights violations in 2024, as she handed her annual report to President Nikos Christodoulides. The report said the office handled 2,507 new cases and closed 2,709 during the year.
Casework and annual reporting
The office closed an average of 260 cases per month in 2024, according to the report. It said this reflected both the increased workload and the institution’s continued operational effectiveness.
Additional reports presented
Stylianou-Lottides also presented the annual reports of the equality and anti-discrimination agency and the national mechanism for the prevention of torture. The reports set out the most significant interventions carried out by the office in the areas of equality, combatting discrimination and the protection of individuals deprived of their liberty.
Expanded role of the institution
Stylianou-Lottides said the institution of the commissioner has evolved into a multifaceted, independent human rights protection body. In addition to her role as ombudswoman, she said the institution now exercises seven distinct specialised powers derived from national, European and international law.
New EU-related mandate
She also referred to a new mandate the institution will assume as an independent fundamental rights mechanism under the new European pact on migration and asylum. Under that framework, it is set to independently monitor respect for fundamental rights during the implementation of control procedures at the EU’s external borders.
Call for more resources
The commissioner said the assignment of new responsibilities by the Republic and the EU reflected recognition of the institution’s credibility, independence and effectiveness. She added that the institution requires additional personnel and resources to fulfill its expanding mandate.