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The criminalisation of sending and posting threatening or abusive messages was discussed by the Parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee on Wednesday, with the proposed changes expected to be sent for a vote soon, according to the committee's chairman, Nikos Tornaritis.
In a statement after the Legal Affairs Committee meeting, Tornaritis said a large number of issues were discussed.
The first, he said, concerned the amendment of the penal code so as to modify the legal framework in cases of sending messages of an abusive, threatening or obscene nature, either electronically, via email or through messages on social networking platforms.
At the same time, he added, insulting a person through the posting of a message, image or whatever other medium on social networks is criminalised.
"The debate is well underway and we hope as soon as possible it will be before the plenary for a vote," he said.
In response to a question about the content of such messages, he said that this refers to "anything that causes broader harassment to a person, anything that offends them, anything that frightens them, when done with intent, is something that should now be covered by legislation." He said this was implemented in most countries in the European Union.
To another question regarding assault by fake social media profiles, he said there had been such cases brought to justice even without the legislative framework now before the Commission. "Through this legislative framework, the tools that will be available to the police and investigating authorities are further strengthened," he said.
Another "important issue" discussed, he said, concerned public service and sexual or gender-based harassment and the recommendation that such acts be made a disciplinary offence.
According to Mr. Tornaritis, there were specific comments that if this offence, which is also a criminal offence, is investigated by the Legal Service, a criminal investigation can be conducted against the accused immediately afterwards. On this issue, the Commission is ready to pass this legislation, but is awaiting the final positions of the Legal Service and the Ministry of Justice, he added.
The Commission also discussed the expansion of the right to freedom of expression of civil servants.
"Until now, the legislation has limited expression to art, science, and some other areas. With these regulations, it is broadened to matters related to their service," he said."[/P]The last issue, he said, concerns family mediators, i.e. people who will undertake out of court to manage cases directly or indirectly related to the state of affairs after divorce or in the period up to a couple's divorce.
The Committee is awaiting responses from the Ministry of Justice to the recommendations from the Commissioner for Child Protection on the training of mediators, he said.
Tornaritis noted that they have regulations in front of them and do not have the right to make broad changes as Parliament, but, particularly on such matters, there must be a consensus of all for the institution to function in the best possible way. He said that once they receive responses from the Legal Service, they will also take these regulations for a vote.
He also referred to the revised Justice and Family Law Bills. He said that once he has them he will put them directly before the Law Commission.
Source: CNA
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