Amnesty International raises same concerns about Cyprus

This is an interesting article..

Abuses of human rights

Abuse of prisoners and detainees rights

Maltreatment of victims of Domestic violence

Racism across many parts of the system

Homophobia and maltreatment of a wide range of other minority groups

Police bullying and institutional violence

Denial of access to justice

Excessive use of Force by police and prison service

I read the article several times over and assumed it was talking about Turkey and North Cyprus - but I am not so sure.

Will someone please clarify what country this Amnesty International report refers to?

If it is Greek Cyprus, can someone please come on and justify current behaviours of the criminal justice system in Greek Cyprus.

I am desperate to find out how well you are now treating your minorities.

Cradle of civilisation - come on David. Will you now allege that AI are conspirators?

Yes there are many things that need improvement.

Its one thing making a serious comment on such issues which I am well aware of and its another to make such degrading and racists comments as the one above.."cradle of civilisation" when its racisms you are suppose to be condemning.

We are treating our "minorities" much better than your bombs have ever treated them and thats the reason why they are here in Cyprus in the first place.

Dear David

You should read World News a little more.

In this country, we are so liberal all manner of people get special treatment - have you not seen the chaos about our Immigration system?

We certainly do not bomb our minorities - we give them welfare, homes and passports!!

My point is about Cyprus is ironic, David.

Let me explain...

On these Boards, we have argued for months about the Cyprus problem, and how in your opinion those wicked Turks have done all manner of things wrong in the North.

You, and other Greeks argue that "if we cypriots were left to our own devices, we would get on just fine" and that all foreigners should get out [especially the Turkish variety].

This article, by a world renowned organisation blows any myth that the GC's practice civilised practices and as their report shows, mny of the complaints relate to institutional maltreatment of any/many minorities.

I would like Turkish Cypriots to read about this, as this report highlights what life for them may really be like under modern GC rule. In essence, the GC's would treat them worse than all the othe minorities they barely tolerate.

Let me tell you a little story, from my trip to larnaca in April, in a KKTC plated car. We were stopped by GC police, who threatened us and used obscenities. There were 4 of us in the car. 2 GC's, a TC and me - see they assumed we were TC's and knowing waht they would do we let the TC talk.

When it got to the point where we were losing our patience, the GC's spoke to them in Greek, showedthe GC ID's at which point the police smiled at wished us a good day.

In that 10 minutes, I saw exactly how TC's would be treated by GC police.

You massively understate " a few things need improvement" - this is not about systems and processes, it is about beliefs and values and I think that Greeks see no problem in mistreating minorities - it is part of the culture.

I am staggered that others have not severely criticised your government over this report, and you cannot accuse the UK of similar treatment of its minorities to justify your own crimes.

Sorry David - I meant "many", not "few", but it does not change my opinion about your deflection of this critical report by saying that we in the UK are worse.

Dont worry about me watching the world news I have more world news channels than I can handle.
Indeed England is a liberal country when it comes to immigration but for how long can it absorb newcomers?
As for Cyprus immigration is a new fruit and is already at the turning point where our economy cant absurb aslyum seekers.
With the bombings I meant it is the U.K that are making a mess in the middle east and causing people to seek a better future.
You also have to be aware that our problem is also your problem as most use Cyprus as a getway to other richer E.U countries such as England.

There is a special department of the police that deals with such acts they are called the "uncorrupted"

You are generalizing about Greeks in a negative tone which once again is
called racism the same thing you are condemning.

David wrote:

Dont worry about me watching the world news I have more world news channels than I can handle.
Indeed England is a liberal country when it comes to immigration but for how long can it absorb newcomers?
As for Cyprus immigration is a new fruit and is already at the turning point where our economy cant absurb aslyum seekers.
With the bombings I meant it is the U.K that are making a mess in the middle east and causing people to seek a better future.
You also have to be aware that our problem is also your problem as most use Cyprus as a getway to other richer E.U countries such as England.
There is a special department of the police that deals with such acts they are called the "uncorrupted"
You are generalizing about Greeks in a negative tone which once again is
called racism the same thing you are condemning.

Dear David

I need to correct you again..

Firstly, it was AMNESTY criticising your government, not me.

Are you suggesting they are racist?

My own experience was a reflection of what happened to me - Greek police are more likely to harass Turks than other - do you acknowledge this or not?

On the wider allegation of racism against me, let me repeat my position, which is that in my opinion, Greek Cypriots have subjected Turkish Cypriots to enocide, harassment, discrimination and general abuse of their rights under the 1959 treaties for the entire period of independence to 1974 [when the Greeks ran the show]. Moreover [and you are a good example of this] Greeks have denied any wrongdoing and indeed justified their actions as a fight for freedom. I strongly disagree with this position, and I expose Greek lies about their role in the destruction of Cyprus. I am not anti greek, I am anti greek governance of cyprus.

This Amnesty report confirms that in 2006, Greeks still hold the same beliefs and I think that is worthy of debate.

I FULLY agree with you over my government's shameful behaviour in Iraq, and the UK has a massive immigration problem.

I will always fight for the victims, but in Cyprus, the majority of troubles, post independence, were Greek inspired and inflicted.

On your point about the attractions of Cyprus as a gateway into the EU - yep point well made, but no excuse for abusing human rights.

On the wider behaviour of Greek police, why do you defend their harassment of Turks?

Uphold you laws or face chaos..

I know its the amnesty report that is critising the GC goverment and not you.
Greek police are more likely to harass 4 men in a car with "KKTC" number plates rather than a family in a car with "KKTC" number plates is true.
To be continued...
Time is money so I have to continue this in a week or so....

Blackadder wrote:

This is an interesting article..
Abuses of human rights
Abuse of prisoners and detainees rights
Maltreatment of victims of Domestic violence
Racism across many parts of the system
Homophobia and maltreatment of a wide range of other minority groups
Police bullying and institutional violence
Denial of access to justice
Excessive use of Force by police and prison service
I read the article several times over and assumed it was talking about Turkey and North Cyprus - but I am not so sure.
Will someone please clarify what country this Amnesty International report refers to?
If it is Greek Cyprus, can someone please come on and justify current behaviours of the criminal justice system in Greek Cyprus.
I am desperate to find out how well you are now treating your minorities.
Cradle of civilisation - come on David. Will you now allege that AI are conspirators?

Dear Blackadder,

Could you please direct me to the site that this report resides on?
I would be interested to read it so that I may make reasonable comment.

Cheers.

Sotirios wrote:

<quoted text>
Dear Blackadder,
Could you please direct me to the site that this report resides on?
I would be interested to read it so that I may make reasonable comment.
Cheers.

Dear Sotorios

Please read other recent threads ,where I attach the limks for the Amnesty International reports on Cyprus, Turkey, Greece and the UK.

None of those countries feature well - Turkey has the worst report.

I raised it here, merely to point out that all is not well TODAY in the GC administration vis-a-via its treatment of minorities.

If you cannot use my links, please find the Amnesty International Website , and navigate from the home page.

David wrote:

Dont worry about me watching the world news I have more world news channels than I can handle.
Indeed England is a liberal country when it comes to immigration but for how long can it absorb newcomers?
As for Cyprus immigration is a new fruit and is already at the turning point where our economy cant absurb aslyum seekers.
With the bombings I meant it is the U.K that are making a mess in the middle east and causing people to seek a better future.
You also have to be aware that our problem is also your problem as most use Cyprus as a getway to other richer E.U countries such as England.
There is a special department of the police that deals with such acts they are called the "uncorrupted"
You are generalizing about Greeks in a negative tone which once again is
called racism the same thing you are condemning.

FHGW!