The European Committee for the prevention of torture (CPT) has visited Cyprus, examining the treatment and conditions of detention of people held in Nicosia Central Prisons, several police establishments, the First Reception Centre of Pournara, and the airport holding facility at Larnaca. Its report has just been published.
The CPT found that some positive steps had been taken to implement recommendations issued by the committee following previous visits in 2017 and 2023. These included a reduction in allegations of physical ill-treatment by prison staff in Nicosia Central Prisons and improvements in the living conditions and hygiene at the Pournara centre. However, many of the long-standing deficiencies identified in earlier visit reports persist.
Serious problems remain in Nicosia Central Prisons
At Nicosia Central Prisons, the CPT expressed grave concern about the high levels of inter-prisoner violence and the failure of prison staff to ensure the safety of those in custody. The chronic shortage of front-line officers has allowed stronger prisoner groups to dominate and impose informal punishments, undermining safety and order. The Cypriot authorities need urgently to recruit and train more staff and regain control of the prisons as well as to review the prison's violence prevention policy.
Living conditions at Nicosia Central Prisons remain very poor, affected by severe overcrowding, with up to four prisoners sharing cells of less than 6 sq. m in which two persons are forced to sleep on mattresses on the floor, when such cells are scarcely sufficient for even one person. Access to toilets remains inadequate, with more than half the blocks lacking in-cell sanitary facilities. Due to the lack of staff available to let prisoners out of their cells to use the block's toilets during the night, prisoners had to resort to urinating in bottles and, at times, defecating in bags. The committee considers this practice degrading.
Women and children in prison in Cyprus
The CPT found that children and young adults continued to be held in unsuitable and unhygienic conditions at Nicosia Central Prisons. Some minors have been sleeping on mattresses on the floor in mouldy, graffiti-covered cells and lacked access to education or purposeful activities. Many children reported being cold, hungry, and bored. The CPT emphasises that the Nicosia Central Prisons is an inappropriate place to hold children and calls for their swift transfer to a facility suitable for minors.
As regards women in prison, the committee advocates for a gender-specific approach to be adopted which meets their specific needs.
Healthcare provision at Nicosia Central Prisons remains insufficient. Medical confidentiality should be strengthened; for example, medication should be distributed by healthcare staff and not by custodial officers. The CPT also urges the authorities to develop a comprehensive suicide prevention policy and to strengthen responses to substance use.
Other detention facilities in Cyprus
As regards police establishments, the committee found that individuals continued to be detained in police custody for prolonged periods, in many cases for months, in conditions that were usually only appropriate for a few days. Most detained individuals stated that they were treated correctly by the police; nevertheless, a few allegations of physical ill-treatment and verbal abuse were received. The authorities should reinforce a zero-tolerance policy towards any ill-treatment practices.
At the Pournara reception centre, the situation had vastly improved since the 2023 visit. Nevertheless, asylum seekers could remain in the centre for months while awaiting test results, notably age assessments. The problem was particularly acute for unaccompanied boys, who were being held in overcrowded and less appropriate accommodation. The CPT reiterates that detention should only be used as a last resort.
The committee highlights the limited access to mental healthcare, the lack of structured activities for adults, and the near-total absence of educational or recreational opportunities for children. Vulnerability assessments remained inconsistent, and protection for identified vulnerable individuals was minimal.
The CPT urges the Cypriot authorities to ensure that all detained asylum seekers receive an individualised detention order outlining the reasons for their detention, its legal safeguards, and avenues for appeal. The committee also calls for immediate steps to end the detention of children, including unaccompanied and separated minors.
Committee for the prevention of torture
Cyprus and the Council of Europe
