Strong concerns over the situation in Cyprus regarding human trafficking were expressed on Monday by MPs serving on the House Committee on Human Rights, during a discussion on the controversial video broadcast by the UK’s Channel 4.
Committee Chair and AKEL MP Irene Charalambidou said that within the next two weeks the Committee will summon the Deputy Minister for Migration to brief MPs on what actions are being taken to coordinate the competent services, agencies, departments and ministries in combating human trafficking, protecting victims and securing convictions and penalties for traffickers.
Ongoing investigation
The Assistant Director of the Crime Combating Department at Police Headquarters, Andreas Anastasiadis, said that the Police launched an ex officio investigation following the broadcast of the video. He said statements have been taken, the area is being investigated, contact has been made with the UK broadcaster to request additional information, and coordination is underway with the Cybercrime Department regarding a website allegedly advertising summer jobs in Cyprus.
However, he declined to provide further details so as not to jeopardise evidence or interfere with the ongoing investigation. Anastasiadis noted that police operations have increased in recent years and that since 2021, 30 individuals have been convicted in 21 cases, while a further 30 cases remain pending before the courts.
Members of the Committee said the discussion revealed that the coordinating body – the multidisciplinary task force on combating human trafficking, which currently operates under the Deputy Ministry for Migration – is not adequately fulfilling its role. Charalambidou announced that she will request that coordination be transferred to the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, under which the Police fall.
'Chaotic situation'
A representative of the Deputy Ministry for Migration said during the discussion that the ministry is not the competent authority, as human trafficking is a criminal offence investigated by the Police. This prompted strong reactions from DISY MP Rita Superman, AKEL MP Irene Charalambidou and Nicosia MP Alexandra Attalides, who stressed that the Committee had opposed placing the task force under the Deputy Ministry. They noted that it had originally operated under the Ministry of the Interior, but was transferred following insistence by the former Minister of Justice and the Deputy Minister for Migration.
“What we heard in Committee was the description of a chaotic situation that in no way complied with the timelines set out by the Ministry of the Interior and recorded in the letter of assignment. I genuinely do not know how to comment; I am unable to characterise the situation,” Charalambidou said.
According to the Deputy Ministry’s representative, the multidisciplinary task force met twice in 2024 and once in early December 2025 to discuss a harmonisation bill. Charalambidou said she would speak with the Minister of Justice and Public Order about assuming responsibility for coordination.
Grim reality for women
DISY MP Rita Superman said that what was shown on Channel 4 is not a negative reality for Cyprus alone, but a grim reality for women. “We are not talking about a single video or report, but about a system that for years has allowed exploitation, impunity and the operation of organised criminal networks,” she said.
She added that while procedures and limitations were discussed, no results were presented. “When the main response in a human trafficking case is that ‘there were no complaints’, this points to an institutional gap that is both operational and political,” she said, noting that MPs were not given explanations as to why potential victims were not identified or why coordinated action and organised crime tools were not activated.
Similar issues, she added, had been raised in the past. “This is not a matter of ignorance, but of inertia.” Asked whether the problem lies in understaffing, lack of political will within the Deputy Ministry for Migration or ineffective coordination of the task force, she replied: “Lack of political will.”
Systemic failure
MP Alexandra Attalides said that human trafficking is not a minor offence but a product of systemic failure, pointing to insufficient oversight and the need to move towards proactive identification of victims. She stressed the need for immediate victim screening, direct support mechanisms and action against the source of exploitation.
She added that the state must show zero tolerance for such crimes, noting that victims are often forced to leave Cyprus secretly due to threats if they file complaints or testify against traffickers. She also insisted on the confiscation of assets and funds derived from criminal activity.
During the session, Anastasiadis reiterated that the Police investigation is ongoing, including cooperation with Channel 4 and monitoring of the website allegedly advertising seasonal employment in Cyprus.
Ayia Napa Mayor Christos Zannettou said that the municipality has conducted its own investigation into catering and entertainment establishments and issues affecting the area, noting that oversight of accommodation for seasonal workers no longer falls under municipal responsibility. He announced that a broad meeting will be held in Ayia Napa on 6 February, in the presence of the Minister of Justice and Public Order and the Chief of Police, to discuss wider issues affecting the region.