The House of Representatives on Friday approved an amendment to the law against human trafficking so as to criminalise customers who ask for and/or receive and use the services of human trafficking victims for the purposes of sexual exploitation.
The amendment was proposed by Diko MP Christiana Erotocritou and approved unanimously.
A strong message by the Parliament to #endimpunity for anyone using services exacted by victims of trafficking. @kyriakidestella @EUCYPRUS @EP_CYPRUS https://t.co/xuofsc2hjz
— Myria Vassiliadou (@MyriaVass) July 12, 2019
Today #Cyprus Parliament voted unanimously 4 criminalisation of the #UseofServices from victims of #THB 4 #SexualExploitation.Amendment tabled by MP @christianaerot1. Congratulations 2 all political parties & NGOs @EP_GenderEqual @EUHomeAffairs @EP_Justice @MyriaVass @PASunesson pic.twitter.com/XZAQEw5Kbh
— Josie Christodoulou (@JosieChristod) July 12, 2019
The law increases the penalties for human trafficking, for trafficking of human organs, the exploitation of people at work, the sexual exploitation of adults, the trafficking of children and the sexual exploitation of children.
MPs voted by majority to reject a proposed amendment by Edek MP Costis Efstathiou which sought to shift the burden of proof regarding a defendant as to whether he/she knew if a victim was underage or an adult victim of human trafficking.
