Child abduction in Cyprus
4.5.2017
Question for written answer E-003118-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Costas Mavrides (S&D)
The use of illegal airports and harbours by the illegal Turkish-Cypriot regime has become a source of crime and numerous illegal activities. Recent alarming events include the abduction of children, usually by one of their parents (an EU or non-EU national), who are transferred to the occupied part of Cyprus, and then escape. Most abductors mainly use the airport in the occupied part of the island to escape, taking their children as hostages and leaving despair and misery behind them. In 2016, 29 cases were reported in Cyprus (16 cases of abduction, 8 cases of restraint, 4 cases of kidnapping and one case of theft), and 24 cases were reported in 2015; these figures are terrifying. Furthermore, the Republic of Cyprus authorities have faced obstacles when carrying out strict controls in barricades, due to enforcement of the Green Line Regulation.
In view of this:
- 1.Is the Commission aware of this problem, which is growing at an alarming rate?
- 2.To what extent could the management of the green line and the controls imposed by EU regulations be improved to reduce the number of kidnapping cases and enable proper controls?