Children of missing persons, those killed, or others affected by the 1974 events who currently serve in the Cyprus Police are not eligible for special or honorary promotions, Justice and Public Order Minister Costas Fytiris has said in a response to Parliament.
The minister was replying to a question submitted by Nicosia MP Christos Christofides.
No provision in existing legislation
Fytiris said neither the Police Law nor the relevant regulations provide for special or honorary promotions for the children of missing persons, fallen personnel or others classified as affected persons.
Previous measures ruled unconstitutional
The minister noted that past attempts to introduce preferential treatment for affected persons in the public sector were struck down by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional.
Laws adopted in 1997 and 1998, which reserved 10% of vacancies in the wider public sector for qualified affected persons and children of enclaved families, were ruled unconstitutional in 2002 on the grounds that they violated the constitutional principle of equality under Article 28.
A subsequent law introduced in 2006, which gave preference to affected persons when candidates were considered roughly equivalent, was also ruled unconstitutional.
Exception applies only to appointments
The minister noted that current Police Regulations allow, as an exception, the appointment of a candidate whose spouse, father or mother was a member of the police force and either died in the line of duty or has been missing since the Turkish invasion.
However, he clarified that this provision applies only to recruitment and does not extend to promotions.
Source: CNA
