President Nicos Anastasiades has signed the legislation on sex education in schools which was passed by parliament, despite the attorney general claiming it is unconstitutional.
The president’s office on Monday stated that the AG’s opinion is respected, but that Cyprus has obligations to international agreements to which it has signed.
Anastasiades cited the UN convention on the rights of children, and the Council of Europe convention to protect children against sexual abuse. Those agreements require the state to educate children on the matter of sexual exploitation, his office said.
The government has said that the law aims to help children understand signs of abuse and know where and when to seek help.
The law passed with 39 votes in favour, eight against from Elam and independent MP Andreas Themistocleous. Diko’s eight deputies abstained.
Before it went to plenum, Education Minister Prodromos Prodromou sent House President Annita Demetriou a letter outlining the move was unconstitutional and it would not be feasible to implement.
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