To be passed before the summer holidays the bills on volunteer forest firefighters and on the recruitment of 300 border guards who will take over the guarding of places where illegal movement of migrants from the occupied territories to the free areas is reported to be taking place.
As Legal Affairs Committee Chairman, DISY Parliamentary Representative Nikos Tornaritis said after the meeting of the Legal Affairs Committee, positions were taken today on the bill on volunteer forest firefighters, with the aim of reaching the plenary session well before the holidays, he said.
"The climate situation is diversifying, fire is a very serious danger for people and the environment and we believe that the introduction of the institution of forest firefighters will be an important element in stopping the fires that threaten our country," he added.
Regarding the bill on the recruitment of 300 border guards who will be tasked with dealing with the problem created by the movement of migrants from the occupied territories to the free areas, Tornaritis said that it will also be before the plenary session before the summer holidays.
"I believe that a majority will be formed for its adoption, although there is a doubt from AKEL, as the rest of the political forces seem to be in favour of the proposal," he said.
"I am optimistic that it will be passed into law and we are taking the first important step in a direction where a lot needs to be done, as we also need the support and assistance of the EU through Europol," he added. He stressed that Cyprus has to take measures, as it is receiving "this hybrid war from Turkey and this is now a clear reality, but pointed out that the measures are taken "always with respect to the human condition of irregular migrants".
He also said that next Wednesday a meeting has been set for the submission of amendments to the bills on the reform of the appellate justice system, while on June 30 they are expected to be brought before the plenary session of the House of Representatives for a vote. He said this in a statement after today's meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs. He stressed that June 30 is a final date.
Referring to the results of international surveys, he said that "our justice is on the floor" and explained that "the Cypriot citizen no longer finds his justice, because if a case that is before the court is finalised after 4-5 years, it is no longer justice".
He then appealed to all parties to overcome any doubts and ambiguities, or possible pre-election considerations, he said, in order to change the state of affairs in justice.
"The best way to kill a reform is to make a lot of excuses," he said. "Reform has been discussed dozens of times before the commission. The President of the Republic has convened a meeting on the issue, with all stakeholders and parties involved, and no objections were raised there by anyone other than DIKO," he noted, expressing hope that the members of Parliament would overcome "any doubts and put the public interest first."
Source: CNA
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