Nicosia, Cyprus – The Cypriot justice system is poised for a substantial transformation, marked by the recent swearing-in of a new Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General, coupled with ambitious plans to overhaul the nation's correctional facilities. President Nicos Anastasiades has lauded the appointments as a crucial step towards restoring public confidence and enhancing the efficacy of the legal framework, while simultaneously addressing persistent challenges within the prison service.
George Savvides, a distinguished legal professional and former Minister of Justice, officially assumed the mantle of Attorney General on Monday, alongside Savvas Angelides, who steps into the role of Deputy Attorney General, having previously served as Minister of Defence. Their induction, originally slated for July 10th but expedited, signals a clear mandate from the highest echelons of government to imbue the justice sector with renewed vigour and integrity. The outgoing Attorney General, Costas Clerides, was expected to tender his resignation around July 8th, paving the way for this transition.
President Anastasiades, in his address during the swearing-in ceremony, underscored the paramount importance of rectitude and unwavering ethical conduct for individuals entrusted with such pivotal positions. He articulated a vision where the Attorney General's office operates with unimpeachable morality, discretion, and profound legal acumen, serving as a bulwark against any potential for arbitrariness or the abuse of executive power. "Above all, citizens expect from them to take into account the strictly defined powers and responsibilities…You are called upon to safeguard these principles and values," the President stated, emphasizing the independent nature of their new roles. He further reinforced this by asserting, "From today you become independent state officials, and no one has the right to interfere in your work."
Concurrently, the Ministry of Justice is embarking on a comprehensive revision of the correctional system, a move that has been the subject of intensive deliberation over recent weeks. Konstantinos Fytiris, the Minister of Justice, has been actively engaging with stakeholders, including a recent meeting with representatives from the prison guards' union, "Equality" (Ισότητα). This dialogue follows a series of visits by the Minister to the Central Prisons, indicating a hands-on approach to identifying and rectifying systemic deficiencies.
The proposed reforms aim to address long-standing issues concerning working conditions for prison staff and the overall operational efficiency of the facilities. Key proposals include the creation of ninety new positions to bolster staffing levels, alongside an upgrade to the service hierarchy. A significant development is the introduction of a points-based system designed to recognise and reward the accrued experience of prison guards in promotion considerations. Furthermore, the ministry is striving to delineate clear operational responsibilities from union activities, fostering a more disciplined and focused environment. A notable agreement reached involves the establishment of an independent team tasked with enforcement and investigations, crucially, this unit will not be comprised of existing prison guards, thereby ensuring impartiality. The need for a prison director possessing substantial expertise in correctional policy and human resource management has also been highlighted as a critical appointment.
The overarching objective of these multifaceted developments is to cultivate a justice system that is not only more efficient but also commands greater public trust. President Anastasiades has explicitly charged the new Attorney General with prioritising the expeditious resolution of pending legal cases, a crucial element in improving the overall responsiveness of the judicial process. These concerted efforts to revitalise both the prosecutorial arm and the correctional infrastructure signal a determined stride towards a more robust and dependable legal landscape in Cyprus.