Human rights commissioner Maria Stylianou Lottides highlighted concerns over the prolonged administrative detention of third country nationals in Cyprus, often held for up to six months in police holding cells in Larnaca and Limassol. She urged that detainees be transferred promptly to specialized facilities, such as the migrant detention centre at Limnes, citing unsuitability of airport detention cells due to lack of natural light and outdoor access.

Lottides also noted improvements at the Pournara migrant reception centre, where the population has been reduced from more than 2,000 in 2022 to 143 currently, including eight unaccompanied minors expected to be moved to specialized accommodation soon. Meanwhile, concerns persist regarding overcrowding and violence at the central prison, which has more than doubled in population since 2008, complicating management and inmate safety.

Despite challenges, improvements have been seen in the treatment of detainees, with significant reductions in reported abuse by police since 2008. Plans to build a new prison and increase staffing levels signal efforts to address these ongoing issues faced by the Cypriot penitentiary system.