Report of the Speaker of the House of Representatives Mrs. Anita Demetriou
on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities,
on the International Day of Volunteers,
on the International Day against Corruption,
on the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
the return of Archbishop Makarios to Cyprus
and the Day of Democratic Resistance
Dear colleagues,
The acceptance of any form of disability is a long and painful process, as prejudices and stereotypes perpetuate the discrimination suffered by this particularly vulnerable social group. Thirty years after the United Nations General Assembly's decision to establish 3 December as World Day of Persons with Disabilities, the acceptance and accessibility of 15% of the world's population continues to be an imperative.
In addition to legislating and monitoring accessibility policies, the House of Representatives has made it a priority, among its parliamentary activities, to promote the acceptance of persons with disabilities and to build relevant partnerships with relevant stakeholders. In a pluralistic, equal and non-discriminatory society, empathy is key to the acceptance of diversity and a collective as well as an institutional obligation.
Moreover, a United Nations General Assembly resolution in 1985 established 5 December as International Volunteer Day to recognize the valuable social contribution of volunteering and to promote further initiatives and actions around the world.
Volunteer Week, which is organized every year by the Pancyprian Volunteer Coordinating Council in the first week of December, makes a significant contribution to raising awareness and informing our fellow citizens, while at the same time supporting the commendable voluntary work carried out by organizations and organized groups. In the difficult economic and social conditions we are experiencing, as a result of the war in Ukraine and the ongoing pandemic crisis, volunteering is both a vocation and an obligation for all of us.
Ladies and gentlemen,
On the occasion of World Anti-Corruption Day, which is commemorated every year on 9 December since the adoption of the Anti-Corruption Convention by the United Nations General Assembly in 2003, as the House of Representatives, we declare our strong will to contribute to the fight against this phenomenon through our legislative work, while mobilising institutions and competent bodies to set up mechanisms to control and prevent the creation of conditions that allow it to flourish. Transparency, meritocracy and the administration of justice are the only antidote to the phenomenon of corruption, which undermines the political, social and economic life of our country.
During the month of December, we also commemorate the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948.
The Universal Declaration sets out the general principles of international law and defines the ideals by which the security and well-being of every human being are secured. Its adoption after the end of the Second World War marks man's transition from fascism and war to democracy and peace. However, the violation of essential rights and the violation of basic freedoms internationally seem to return humanity to a painful past that we thought we had left behind: the Russian invasion and war in Ukraine and the blatant violent violation of human rights in neighbouring countries are the tip of the iceberg; and Turkey's occupation of half of our homeland is our tragic contribution to humanity's setback.
Ladies and gentlemen,
As the House of Representatives, we honour our institutional responsibility and condemn all violations of human rights, wherever they occur. At the same time, we pledge that we will continue to be vigilant in safeguarding and respecting the rights of our people and our land.
Dear colleagues,
On December 7, 1974, five months after the forced self-exile of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, imposed by the treacherous coup and the brutal Turkish invasion, Archbishop Makarios returned to Cyprus. Thousands of people flooded the square of the bombed Archdiocese to listen to the historic speech of the elected leader, who with his return fully restored democracy and law and order.
This same day has been established as the Day of Democratic Resistance, a day of remembrance and honour for all those who resisted the coup and defended even with their lives the constitutional legitimacy of Cyprus; a day of remembrance of our historical and patriotic duty to continue the struggle against Turkish provocation, for the liberation of our homeland and the restoration of the rights of our people.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I invite you to observe a one-minute silence in memory of those who resisted the coup and fought for democracy in our country.
(The text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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