TNAG-0652-FCO40-801-Planning-Staff-papers-on-human-rights-and-foreign-policy-cou-1977 — Page 58

CONFIDENTIAL

CYPRUS

Report by British High Commission, Nicosia

Note by Planning Staff. The High Commission drew up two reports, one for the Republic of Cyprus, the other for the "Turkish Federated State of Cyprus" (where of course the unit of the wiit Government of the Republic of Cyprus does not run). Since HMG do not recognise the "Turkish Federated State of Cyprus", only the report for the Republic of Cyprus is attached.

General Observations

1. We have assumed that this exercise is concerned with present practices in conditions of normality. On this assumption, we have deliberately excluded the infringements of human rights and atrocities derived from the inter-communal conflict in the past. We have also excluded the consequences of the 1974 Coup and the Turkish invasion.

2. The institutions of the Republic of Cyprus are modelled largely on British patterns. Where political liberties are infringed by the pervasive influence of the Government, it is in subtle ways not fully caught under the individual headings.

Right No.

(i) The Constitution includes all the

provisions of Article 9 of the Human Rights Declaration. We are not aware of anyone presently detained without trial. Criminals are convicted and sentenced by the due processes of law.

(ii) There is no evidence of the use of

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torture at present. During the campaign of sporadic bombing by EOKA-B before July 1974 a number of arrested suspects alleged torture during interrogation.

(iii)

Slavery does not exist.

(iv)

CBC, the TV and radio corporation is a semi- State monopoly which reflects the Government line. Speech and the press are free and combative. Opposition journalists have however been prosecuted on half a dozen or so occasions for offences such as insult to the President or incitement to violence.

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