Eighteen NGOs reject parliamentary scrutiny of environmental activists as harmful to democracy
Eighteen civil society organisations in Cyprus have jointly condemned the parliamentary Environment Committee's decision to register an item addressing the activities of environmental and activist groups as a "phenomenon" requiring countermeasures. They argue that such groups form the foundation of democratic governance and should not be targeted or criminalised. The controversial item, introduced by ELAM MPs, aims to scrutinise activist organisations amid rising concerns over illegal activities like poaching.
The move has sparked protests, particularly after key groups such as BirdLife Cyprus and the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) were excluded from the Committee's debate. CABS highlighted the parliamentary action as a "trap" potentially undermining law enforcement efforts that have contributed to over 55 poaching convictions and the rescue of more than 1,200 protected birds in recent campaigns.
In their open letter, the NGOs expressed strong reservations about the terminology used, stressing that monitoring environmental violations and advocating for enforcement are legitimate and vital civic activities. They emphasized that active citizens have played a crucial role in revealing Cyprus’s major environmental challenges, underscoring the importance of protecting these organisations from institutional targeting.
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