Freedom, Rights & Safety (CY)๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ

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One of the safest countries in the world!

According to a ValuePenguin research, Cyprus is the 5th safest country worldwide out of 107 countries and holds the 1st safest place to live and travel among the countries that have population under 5 million. This research analyzed seven different data categories (population, CO2 emissions, life expectancy, the number of police personnel per 100,000 people, thefts, assaults and traffic deaths) to evaluate โ€œeveryday safetyโ€.

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Cyprus is beaten only by countries like Switzerland, Singapore, Spain and Japan on this list of the safest countries. Differs from continental Europe, Cyprus has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe.

Moreover, Cyprus placed the 5th safest countries in the world in 2020. A research on the safest holiday destination in the world was conducted by a French travel insurance company, which measured how well each country performs against 5 categories (natural disasters, transport, the quality of healthcare systems, levels of violent crime, and terrorist threat).

Cyprusโ€™ great ranking comes to strengthen the islandโ€™s successful management of the recent health crisis which led to the lifting of movement restrictions earlier than expected. 

The top 10 safest holiday destination for 2020

  1. Switzerland
  2. Singapore
  3. Norway
  4. Luxembourg
  5. Cyprus
  6. Iceland
  7. Denmark
  8. Portugal
  9. Finland
  10. Japan

Traveling in Cyprus

Generally, Cyprus is a very safe country to travel to. Cyprus has seen less violent crime on the streets or elsewhere than other European countries of similar size. Here are some tips to help you travel to Cyprus safely.

  • Crime: Street crimes against tourists happen very rarely, but you should still do the basic prevention such as keeping passports, money, and other valuables safe. Pickpocketing and bag snatching occasionally happen in busy tourist areas in the summer.
  • Transportation: Taxis and other types of transportation are normally safe in Cyprus, with reliable and modern vehicles. Taxi sharing is not permitted in Cyprus. However, scams can also be an issue if youโ€™re not careful, especially in the busy summer season. Negotiating trips, excursions or booking activities, and taxis with your hotel will be a smart decision. It can be tempting to go for the cheapest prices on the street but organizing everything through your hotel ensures that you are dealing with official companies. Renting a car is another good choice for traveling in Cyprus. Cypriots always say โ€œslowly, slowlyโ€ but it seems they disagree with this attitude only when driving. So, make sure you follow the traffic rules and buy insurance. 
  • Female Travel Safety: From the super clubs of Ayia Napa to the more laidback lounges and wine bars of Limassol, the nightlife is a big selling point of Cyprus. Is it safe for female or solo travel? Most women who go to Cyprus on their own will have no problems at all. Personal attacks, including sexual assaults, are infrequent but they do occur. For solo female travelers looking to meet up with other travelers, or for tourists interested in party resorts such as Ayia Napa or Paphos, take extra care at bars and clubs. Be careful not to be led away from the main crowds on your own, and always stay in public areas when socializing with someone unfamiliar. Most people you meet are just friendly, helpful, and honest. The locals are renowned for their warmth and hospitality. But be cautious and alert all the same, particularly when alcohol can be clouding your judgment.
  • Terrorism Risks: In fact, Cyprus is free from terrorism. Even so terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out. Tourists should be cautious when visiting the occupied area in the North, where a self-declared state recognizes only by Turkish and is separate from Southern Cyprus.

Freedom & Rights

International Conventions

Cyprus as a member of the Council of Europe. The Republic of Cyprus has ratified all fundamental Conventions of the Council of Europe. As far as the basic human freedoms and rights are concerned, Cyprus ratified the following Conventions:

  • the European Social Charter of 1961, which complements the protection of civil and political rights provided by the European Convention of Human Rights, consolidating the fundamental social rights,
  • the Amending Protocol to the Charter of 1991 with which the monitoring mechanism of the Charter was improved,
  • the Additional Protocol of 1995 providing for a System of Collective Complaints, and
  • the Revised European Social Charter of 1996, which revised and complemented, with the addition of new fundamental articles, the essential protection provided by the Charter of 1961.

The European Social Charter and its amendments includes a number of articles that refer to the basic human rights and the fundamental freedoms that the member states of the Council of Europe should promote and develop in order to ensure an improvement of the living standards and the well-being of their citizens.

Freedom

  • Freedom of Expression: Cyprusโ€™s law provides for freedom of expression. This includes the press and media as well as online media. An independent press, an effective judiciary, and a functioning democratic political system combined to promote freedom of expression. However, the law criminalizes incitement to hatred and violence based on race, color, religion, genealogical origin, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation.
  • Internet Freedom: Access to the internet or censor online content was not restricted or disrupted. Even so, the use of computer systems to incite and promote racism, xenophobia, prejudice, racial discrimination, hate speech, and violence is punishable.
  • Academic Freedom & Cultural Events: Academic freedom is respected in Cyprus. You may have a chance to see some of the best local and international performers at locations across Cyprus.
  • Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and Association: The constitution and law provide for the freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, and the government generally respected these rights.
  • Freedom of Religion: The principle of religion in Cyprus is Orthodoxy. Most Greek Cypriots belong to the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus. Whereas most Turkish Cypriots are Sunni Muslims. But still, the constitution prohibits religious discrimination and protects the freedom to worship, teach, and practice one’s religion.
  • Freedom of Movement: The law provides for freedom of internal movement within government-controlled areas, foreign travel, emigration, and repatriation.

Living in Cyprus, one of the EU countries, you are eligible for social security benefits. Here are the benefits that you are entitled to, check to know when you are eligible and how to go about claiming it.

  • Family
  • Child benefit
  • Maternity benefits
  • Health
  • Healthcare
  • Long-term social care
  • Incapacity
  • Benefits for employment accidents and occupational diseases
  • Sickness benefit
  • Invalidity pension
  • Disability benefits
  • Old-age and survivors
  • Statutory pension
  • Survivors’ benefits โ€“ widow’s/widower’s pension, orphan’s benefit and funeral grant
  • Social assistance
  • Guaranteed minimum income benefit
  • Social pension
  • Household allowance for pensioners on low incomes
  • Unemployment
  • Unemployment benefit
  • Moving abroad
  • Aggregation of insured time
  • Main residence
  • Habitual residence

https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1105&langId=en

Political democracy

The Republic of Cyprus is a democratic state with legal sovereignty over the whole island. Political rights and civil liberties are generally respected in the Republic of Cyprus. There is also continuing concerns include social discrimination against minorities and the weakness of the asylum system.

Head of government and other chief national authority are elected through free and fair elections. The president is elected by popular vote for five-year terms.

Electoral laws are generally fair. In their report on the 2018 presidential vote, election monitors from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) noted some improvements since the 2013 contest, including 2017 legal changes that abolished most mandatory-voting provisions and established a ceiling of โ‚ฌ1 million ($1.1 million) for candidatesโ€™ campaign spending. The report found that the election was administered in a โ€œhighly professional, efficient, and transparent manner.โ€

Cyprus has an independent judiciary. The judiciary, which operates principally according to the British tradition, is independent in practice. Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the courtโ€™s existing members, and lower court judges are appointed by Supreme Court judges in their capacity as the Supreme Council of Judicature. The justice system generally upholds due process standards. Law enforcement agencies largely observe safeguards against arbitrary arrest and detention, and criminal defendants have access to counsel and fair trial procedures.

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