FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. Embassy
Tuesday, January 4, 2005

State Department Submits Interim Assessment Report to Congress
on Cyprus's Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons

On December 22, 2004, the Department of State submitted to Congress its first Interim Assessment of the progress made by countries on the September 2004 Special Watch List to combat trafficking in persons (TIP), pursuant to section 110(b)(3)(B) of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, Public Law 106-386, as amended by the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003, Public Law, 108-193. The full text follows:

The Government of Cyprus has made modest progress in its efforts to combat trafficking; a number of planned government initiatives have yet to be approved and implemented. Two intergovernmental groups meet regularly to discuss anti-trafficking efforts and promote information sharing. The groups expect to officially present to the Government a national plan to combat trafficking and legislation to address trafficking and immigration by the end of 2004. There was a significant increase in trafficking-related arrests in the first 10 months of 2004, 173 vice 26 in 2003. Additionally, 15 cases are being tried under 2000 anti-trafficking legislation, although no one has been convicted.

While police produced press releases on every trafficking in persons-related arrest, the Government has funded no large-scale efforts to educate the public on trafficking. The Government froze the issuing of new cabaret licenses in June 2004. It has prohibited hiring replacements of women on “artiste” visas who are identified as victims and removed from their cabaret employment. Women who are trafficking victims and leave a cabaret now have the right to stay in Cyprus and receive legal advice and financial assistance if they agree to aid the police in prosecuting their former employer or the person who trafficked them to the island. The Government has also set aside several rooms for trafficking victims in government- subsidized homes for the elderly until more permanent shelters can be secured. Victim protection remains inadequate. The Government drafted, but has not yet finalized or distributed, an information sheet to provide to newly arrived female foreign workers.