In a significant legislative reversal, the Cypriot government has conceded to widespread demands to amend a controversial law governing public assemblies, following a damning assessment by an international security body. During an emergency session of parliament's Legal Affairs Committee, officials acknowledged that a proposed opposition bill, crafted in line with recommendations from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), formed the basis for a new consensus. The development effectively nullifies the administration's original legislation, passed just months ago, which had been condemned as an excessive restriction on the right to peaceful protest.
The law in question was enacted in July amid heightened political tensions, following isolated incidents of unrest outside government buildings. It swiftly drew fierce criticism from opposition parties, legal experts, and civil society groups, who argued its provisions were disproportionately harsh and vague. The controversy intensified in September when the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights issued a formal opinion. The international body concluded that several articles of the Cypriot statute contravened established human rights standards and risked having a "chilling effect" on freedom of assembly, a critique that lent substantial weight to domestic opposition.
Leading the parliamentary charge was AKEL MP Irene Charalambides, who had formally solicited the OSCE’s review. Utilizing its findings, she drafted a comprehensive amending bill to rectify the identified flaws. Concurrently, the Justice Ministry, under Minister Marios Hartsiotis, embarked on its own drafting process informed by the same international critique. During Monday’s committee hearing, a striking convergence was revealed. A representative from the ministry, Phaedra Gregoriou, noted, "What we prepared looks quite similar to Mrs Charalambides’ bill," with officials estimating a 70-80 percent alignment between the two texts. This overlap prompted the committee chairman, Nikos Tornaritis, to declare a consensus on proceeding with the revisions.
Key amendments will substantially narrow police powers. A particularly contentious clause, which allowed officers to demand the removal of face coverings at will, will be tightened. The revised text will necessitate that police first demonstrate an individual is engaging in violence that endangers lives or property before issuing such an order. Furthermore, the amendments will explicitly absolve protest organizers of liability under the law, a clarification sought by activists. While consensus is broad, the Justice Ministry maintains reservations on a few points, notably the proposed removal of legal definitions for "public order" and "public morals," arguing these concepts require statutory clarity.
The impending rewrite sidelines a separate initiative by other AKEL parliamentarians calling for the law’s outright repeal, signaling a preference for reform over abolition. With the police stating they will adhere to the ministry's final decision, the path forward is clear. Detailed, article-by-article discussions are scheduled for early January, culminating in a plenary vote. For observers like University of Cyprus associate professor Aristoteles Constantinides, the episode underscores the vital role of international oversight in safeguarding democratic norms. The government’s retreat, while a victory for civil liberties, also highlights the perils of hastily enacted legislation in response to transient crises.