?
|
Naslov in reference |
Title and reference |
|
DELOVNI DOKUMENT SLUŽB KOMISIJE Poročilo o stanju pravne države za leto 2020 Poglavje o stanju pravne države na Cipru Spremni dokument K SPOROČILU KOMISIJE EVROPSKEMU PARLAMENTU, SVETU, EVROPSKEMU EKONOMSKO-SOCIALNEMU ODBORU IN ODBORU REGIJ Poročilo o stanju pravne države za leto 2020 Stanje pravne države v Evropski uniji DELOVNI DOKUMENT SLUŽB KOMISIJE Poročilo o stanju pravne države za leto 2020 Poglavje o stanju pravne države na Cipru Spremni dokument K SPOROČILU KOMISIJE EVROPSKEMU PARLAMENTU, SVETU, EVROPSKEMU EKONOMSKO-SOCIALNEMU ODBORU IN ODBORU REGIJ Poročilo o stanju pravne države za leto 2020 Stanje pravne države v Evropski uniji SWD/2020/312 final |
COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 2020 Rule of Law Report Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Cyprus Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 2020 Rule of Law Report The rule of law situation in the European Union COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 2020 Rule of Law Report Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Cyprus Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 2020 Rule of Law Report The rule of law situation in the European Union SWD/2020/312 final |
|
Datumi |
Dates |
|
|
|
Drugi podatki |
Miscellaneous information |
|
|
|
Klasifikacije |
Classifications |
|
|
|
Besedilo |
Text |
| EVROPSKA KOMISIJA | EUROPEAN COMMISSION |
| Bruselj, 30.9.2020 | Brussels, 30.9.2020 |
| SWD(2020) 312 final | SWD(2020) 312 final |
| DELOVNI DOKUMENT SLUŽB KOMISIJE | COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT |
| Poročilo o stanju pravne države za leto 2020 Poglavje o stanju pravne države na Cipru | 2020 Rule of Law ReportCountry Chapter on the rule of law situation in Cyprus |
| Spremni dokument | Accompanying the document |
| K SPOROČILU KOMISIJE EVROPSKEMU PARLAMENTU, SVETU, EVROPSKEMU EKONOMSKO-SOCIALNEMU ODBORU IN ODBORU REGIJ | COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS |
| Poročilo o stanju pravne države za leto 2020 Stanje pravne države v Evropski uniji | 2020 Rule of Law Report The rule of law situation in the European Union |
| {COM(2020) 580 final} - {SWD(2020) 300 final} - {SWD(2020) 301 final} - {SWD(2020) 302 final} - {SWD(2020) 303 final} - {SWD(2020) 304 final} - {SWD(2020) 305 final} - {SWD(2020) 306 final} - {SWD(2020) 307 final} - {SWD(2020) 308 final} - {SWD(2020) 309 final} - {SWD(2020) 310 final} - {SWD(2020) 311 final} - {SWD(2020) 313 final} - {SWD(2020) 314 final} - {SWD(2020) 315 final} - {SWD(2020) 316 final} - {SWD(2020) 317 final} - {SWD(2020) 318 final} - {SWD(2020) 319 final} - {SWD(2020) 320 final} - {SWD(2020) 321 final} - {SWD(2020) 322 final} - {SWD(2020) 323 final} - {SWD(2020) 324 final} - {SWD(2020) 325 final} - {SWD(2020) 326 final} | {COM(2020) 580 final} - {SWD(2020) 300 final} - {SWD(2020) 301 final} - {SWD(2020) 302 final} - {SWD(2020) 303 final} - {SWD(2020) 304 final} - {SWD(2020) 305 final} - {SWD(2020) 306 final} - {SWD(2020) 307 final} - {SWD(2020) 308 final} - {SWD(2020) 309 final} - {SWD(2020) 310 final} - {SWD(2020) 311 final} - {SWD(2020) 313 final} - {SWD(2020) 314 final} - {SWD(2020) 315 final} - {SWD(2020) 316 final} - {SWD(2020) 317 final} - {SWD(2020) 318 final} - {SWD(2020) 319 final} - {SWD(2020) 320 final} - {SWD(2020) 321 final} - {SWD(2020) 322 final} - {SWD(2020) 323 final} - {SWD(2020) 324 final} - {SWD(2020) 325 final} - {SWD(2020) 326 final} |
| Povzetek | Abstract |
| V ciprskem pravosodnem sistemu od leta 2019 poteka več strukturnih sprememb in reform za premagovanje pomembnih izzivov v zvezi z njegovo učinkovitostjo in kakovostjo, zlasti pa v zvezi z digitalizacijo. Civilni, gospodarski in upravni sodni postopki so še naprej zelo dolgotrajni. Reforme vključujejo ustanovitev novih specializiranih sodišč, prestrukturiranje sodišč, ustanovitev šole za usposabljanje sodnikov, spremembe pravil pravdnega postopka in ukrepe za obravnavo sodnih zaostankov. Poteka tudi reforma za ustanovitev vrhovnega ustavnega sodišča in višjega sodišča. O številnih od teh reform še vedno poteka razprava ali se z njimi zamuja. Poteka pregled pravobranilstva z namenom povečanja njegove zmogljivosti, vključno z ločevanjem funkcij in postopki zaposlovanja. | The Cypriot justice system has been undergoing a number of structural changes and reforms since 2019 with the aim to overcome important challenges as regards its efficiency and quality, in particular as regards digitalisation. Civil, commercial and administrative judicial proceedings remain very lengthy. These reforms include the establishment of new specialised courts, the restructuring of the courts, the creation of a training school for judges, the revision of the rules of civil procedure and measures to address the backlog of cases. There is also a pending reform on the establishment of a Supreme Constitutional Court and of a High Court. Many of these reforms are still under discussion or are experiencing delay. A review of the Law Office is ongoing with a view to enhance the capacity of the office, including separation of functions and recruitment procedures. |
| Ciper je dosegel določen napredek pri spopadanju s korupcijo in preiskavami korupcije, vključno s primeri na visoki ravni. Ključna zakonodaja za preprečevanje korupcije še vedno ni sprejeta. Lobiranje in zaščita žvižgačev ostajata zakonsko neurejena, neodvisni protikorupcijski organ pa je treba še ustanoviti. Pravila o prijavi premoženja so vzpostavljena, vendar bi bilo mogoče obstoječi sistem dodatno izboljšati s povečanjem uspešnosti spremljanja prijav premoženja. Kodeks ravnanja obstaja za člane vlade, javne uslužbence in tožilce, za poslance pa ni podobnih določb. | Cyprus has made some progress in tackling and investigating corruption, including high-profile cases. Key legislation for the prevention of corruption is still pending. Lobbying and whistle-blower protection remain unregulated by law and an independent anti-corruption authority remains to be established. Asset disclosure rules are in place but the existing regime could be further strengthened by improving the effectiveness of the monitoring of the asset declarations. While Codes of Conduct exist for members of the Government, public officials and prosecutors, there are no similar provisions for the members of the House of Representatives. |
| Svoboda izražanja in pravica dostopa do informacij sta pravno in formalno zaščiteni v ustavi Republike Ciper. Sekundarna zakonodaja izrecno varuje pravico novinarjev, da zaščitijo svoje vire, in spodbuja pluralnost medijev v radijskem in televizijskem sektorju. Vendar so se pojavila vprašanja o neodvisnosti organa za medije (npr. v zvezi s postopki imenovanja). Skrb vzbuja tudi to, da ni okvira, ki bi zagotavljal preglednost lastništva v sektorju tiskanih in digitalnih medijev, kar otežuje ugotavljanje in preverjanje dejanskih lastnikov ali navzkrižnega lastništva v teh sektorjih. | In Cyprus, freedom of expression and the right of access to information find legal and formal protection in the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus. Secondary legislation expressly protects the right of journalists to protect their sources and fosters media pluralism in the radio and television sector. However, questions have been raised regarding the independence of the Authority on Media (e.g. regarding appointment procedures). Another issue of concern is that there is no framework guaranteeing ownership transparency in the written press and digital media sectors, which makes it difficult to identify and verify ultimate owners or cross-ownership in these sectors. |
| Ciprski sistem zavor in ravnovesij vključuje posvetovalni postopek kot del projekta za boljše pravno urejanje in naknadno presojo ustavnosti. To presojo trenutno opravlja vrhovno sodišče, namen osnutka zakonodaje pa je prenos te naloge na novo ustanovljeno vrhovno ustavno sodišče. Namen drugega osnutka zakonodaje je izboljšati izvrševanje sodnih odločb v javni upravi. Komisar za upravo, ki deluje kot nacionalna institucija za človekove pravice, se je spopadal z nekaterimi izzivi, vendar so se njegove zmogljivosti v zadnjem času povečale. Čeprav je bila vzpostavljena struktura za spodbujanje sodelovanja civilne družbe v javnem življenju, se zdi, da se organizacije civilne družbe spopadajo z nekaterimi težavami v zvezi z okvirom za registracijo, ki zahteva registracijo najmanj 20 ustanovnih članov. | The system of checks and balances in Cyprus includes a consultation process as part of a Better Regulation Project as well as ex-post constitutionality review. This review is currently carried out by the Supreme Court and a draft legislation aims at transferring this task to a newly created Supreme Constitutional Court. Another draft legislation aims at improving the implementation of court decisions by the public administration. The Commissioner for Administration, which functions as the National Human Rights Institution, faced certain challenges, but has recently seen its capacities increased. While a structure has been set up to encourage civil participation in public life, it seems that the civil society organisations face certain concerns regarding the registration framework, which requires at least 20 founding members to be registered. |
| I.Pravosodni sistem | I.Justice System |
| V sodnem sistemu 1 je šest okrožnih sodišč, šest trenutno delujočih kazenskih porotnih sodišč 2 , upravno sodišče 3 , upravno sodišče za odločanje o mednarodni zaščiti 4 in vrhovno sodišče 5 . Poleg tega obstajajo sodišča za družinske zadeve, sodišča za nadzor nad najemninami, sodišča za spore med delodajalci in sindikati ter vojaško sodišče. Sodnike vrhovnega sodišča imenuje predsednik republike s položajev v sodstvu in na priporočilo vrhovnega sveta. Sodnike na prvi stopnji imenuje, premesti in poviša vrhovni sodni svet (SCJ), ki ga sestavljajo vsi člani vrhovnega sodišča (predsednik in 12 vrhovnih sodnikov) 6 . Na vseh sodiščih prve stopnje deluje 88 sodnikov, na vrhovnem sodišču pa 13 sodnikov. Tožilstvo je neodvisno in organizirano pod vodstvom generalnega državnega tožilstva. Generalni državni tožilec ima pooblastila za uvedbo, izvedbo, prevzem in nadaljevanje ali prekinitev katerega koli postopka zaradi kaznivega dejanja zoper osebo (pravno ali fizično) v republiki, ki jih izvršuje po lastni presoji in v javnem interesu. Generalni državni tožilec vodi tudi pravobranilstvo republike, neodvisen urad, ki ni podrejen nobenemu ministrstvu 7 . Poleg tega je pravni svetovalec republike, predsednika, sveta ministrov in posameznih ministrov. Opravlja tudi vse druge funkcije in naloge, ki se mu podelijo na podlagi ustave ali zakonskega prava 8 . | The court system 1 is composed of six District Courts, six Assize Courts currently in operation 2 , the Administrative Court 3 , the Administrative Court of International Protection 4 and the Supreme Court 5 . In addition, there are family courts, rent control courts, industrial disputes courts and a military court. Supreme Court Judges are appointed by the President of the Republic from within the ranks of the judiciary and upon recommendation of the Supreme Court. First instance judges are appointed, transferred and promoted by the Supreme Council of Judicature (SCJ), which is composed of all the members of the Supreme Court (the President and 12 Justices) 6 . There are 88 judges serving in all courts of first instance and 13 judges serving in the Supreme Court. The Prosecution Service is independent and organised under the Attorney General of the Republic. The Attorney General has the power, exercisable at his discretion in the public interest, to institute, conduct, take over and continue or discontinue any proceedings for an offence against any person (legal or natural) in the Republic. The Attorney General also heads the Law Office of the Republic, an independent office not subjected to any ministry 7 . The Attorney General is also the legal adviser of the Republic, of the President, of the Council of Ministers and of the Ministers individually. He performs all other functions and duties conferred on him by the Constitution or by statutory law 8 . |
| Neodvisnost | Independence |
| Poteka razprava o strukturnih spremembah v zvezi z organizacijo sodišč in imenovanjem sodnikov. Ministrstvo za pravosodje in javni red je 30. maja 2019 v predstavniški dom 9 vložil predlog zakona o delitvi sedanjega vrhovnega sodišča na dve ločeni sodišči: novo ločeno vrhovno ustavno sodišče in višje sodišče. Isti zakonodajni predlog, ki čaka na obravnavo v predstavniškem domu 10 , določa ustanovitev pritožbenega sodišča s 16 sodniki. Drug predlog zakona, o katerem razpravlja predstavniški dom 11 , podrobno določa imenovanje sodnikov novega vrhovnega ustavnega sodišča in višjega sodišča. Predlog zakona temelji na sedanjem sistemu, v katerem sodnike vrhovnega sodišča imenuje predsednik republike na predlog sodnikov najvišjih dveh jurisdikcij. Predlog zakona predvideva tudi, da bo sodnike novega pritožbenega sodišča imenoval vrhovni sodni svet (SCJ), ki bo vključeval tudi generalnega državnega tožilca, predsednika sveta odvetnikov in dolgoletnega odvetnika. | Structural changes with regard to the organisation of Courts and the appointment of judges are under discussion. The Ministry of Justice and Public Order, on 30 May 2019, submitted to the House of Representatives 9 a draft bill on the splitting of the current Supreme Court into two distinct courts: a new separate Supreme Constitutional Court and the High Court. The same draft legislation, pending before the House 10 , foresees the creation of a Court of Appeal of 16 Judges. Another bill under discussion in the House of Representatives 11 details the appointment of the judges of the new Supreme Constitutional Court and the High Court. The bill builds upon the current system in which the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court is made by the President of the Republic, upon proposal by the judges of the two highest jurisdictions. The bill also provides that the judges of the new Court of Appeal will be appointed by the Supreme Council of Judicature (SCJ), which will also include the Attorney-General, the President of the Bar Council and a lawyer of long standing. |
| Stopnja neodvisnosti sodstva je glede na mnenje povprečna. V širši javnosti 55 % anketirancev meni, da je neodvisnost sodstva „dokaj dobra in zelo dobra“, ta delež pa se je leta 2020 rahlo zmanjšal. Ustrezen odstotek pri podjetjih je 48 %, ki se je v zadnjih letih zmanjševal 12 . | The level of perceived judicial independence is average. Among the general public, 55% consider judicial independence to be ‘fairly and very good’, a share that slightly decreased in 2020. The corresponding figure among companies is 48% and has been decreasing in the last years 12 . |
| Za imenovanje sodnikov veljajo nova podrobna merila. Julija 2019 13 je vrhovno sodišče uvedlo nova podrobna merila za izbiro, imenovanje, ocenjevanje in napredovanje sodnikov. Njihov namen je uskladiti te postopke z obstoječimi dobrimi praksami v EU. Ta nova merila se uporabljajo za zaposlovanje novih sodnikov in za napredovanja 14 . Izbira in imenovanje temeljita na razpisu za oddajo prijav, ki je objavljen za širšo javnost, med drugim tudi v uradnem listu. Vrhovni sodni svet po postopku, katerega namen je zagotoviti, da kandidati izpolnjujejo objektivna merila, da imajo ustrezno znanje in zahtevane osebnostne lastnosti, odloči, kateri kandidati so bili uspešni. | The appointment of the judges is subject to new detailed criteria. In July 2019 13 , the Supreme Court introduced new detailed criteria for the selection, appointment, evaluation and promotion of judges. The aim is to harmonise these procedures with the existing best practices in the EU. These new criteria are being used for the recruitment of new judges, as well as for promotions 14 . Selection and appointment are based on a call for candidatures published widely, including in the Official Gazette. The Supreme Council of Judicature decides on the successful candidates after a procedure aiming at ensuring that the candidates fulfil the objective criteria, display the relevant knowledge and personality requirements. |
| Poteka reforma pravobranilstva republike. Tožilstvo je organizirano pod vodstvom generalnega državnega tožilstva. Pravne določbe prepovedujejo, da bi kdor koli dajal navodila ali posegal v naloge generalnega državnega tožilstva 15 . Vsi tožilci obravnavajo kazenske zadeve po navodilih in v imenu generalnega državnega tožilca 16 . Poleg tega je generalni državni tožilec vodja pravobranilstva 17 in pravni svetovalec republike. Dejstvo, da ima več vlog, bi lahko vzbudilo pomisleke glede pristojnosti posameznih pravobranilcev in tožilcev pri neodvisnem opravljanju njihovih nalog 18 . Neodvisni strokovnjaki so funkcionalni pregled pravobranilstva opravili leta 2019. Na podlagi tega poročila je svet ministrov 15. oktobra 2019 izdelal in odobril akcijski načrt. Ta predvideva celovito reformo pravobranilstva republike. Reforma med drugim vključuje prestrukturiranje in ustanovitev ločenih, avtonomnih direktoratov znotraj pravobranilstva, nova delovna mesta, racionalizacijo postopkov ter ločitev funkcij in postopkov zaposlovanja. Generalni državni tožilec in ministrstvo za finance razpravljata o predlogu zakona v zvezi s proračunsko neodvisnostjo pravobranilstva 19 . | A reform of the Law Office of the Republic is ongoing. The Prosecution Service is organised under the Attorney General of the Republic. Legal provisions forbid any person to give instructions or interfere with the duties of the Attorney General 15 . All prosecutors handle criminal cases under the instructions and on behalf of the Attorney General 16 . In addition, the Attorney General is also the head of the Law Office 17 and the legal advisor of the Republic. This multiple role could raise concerns as regards the capacity of the individual law officers and prosecutors to conduct their duties in an autonomous way 18 . A functional review of the Law Office by independent experts was conducted in 2019. Based on this report, an action plan has been finalised and approved by the Council of Ministers on 15 October 2019. The Action Plan foresees a comprehensive reform of the Law Office of the Republic. Amongst others, the reform includes the restructuring and creation of separate, self-contained directorates within the Law Office, the creation of new posts, the rationalisation of procedures, separation of functions and recruitment procedures. A draft law is under discussion between the Attorney General and the Ministry of Finance concerning the budgetary independence of the Law Office 19 . |
| Kakovost | Quality |
| Pravosodni sistem je skoraj popolnoma nedigitaliziran. Širši javnosti so na voljo zelo omejene informacije o pravosodnem sistemu 20 . Poleg tega ni elektronskih informacij o poteku zadev ali sistema za elektronsko vodenje zadev 21 . To vprašanje je bilo obravnavano tudi v okviru evropskega semestra 2020, v katerem je bilo priporočeno izboljšanje digitalizacije pravosodnega sistema 22 . Uvedba elektronskega sistema za upravljanje sodišč je eden od glavnih ciljev tekočih reform. Vendar se je od leta 2017 pri izvedbi sistema in zadevnih postopkih oddaje javnih naročil zamujalo. Medtem je bil pripravljen mini elektronski register, ki je bil nameščen na vseh matičnih uradih in na vrhovnem sodišču, da bi se omogočila učinkovitejša obdelava tožb, dokler sistem e-pravosodje ne bo v celoti izveden 23 . V tem okviru bi bilo treba opozoriti, da je vrhovno sodišče kot del izrednih ukrepov za spopadanje s pandemijo COVID-19 razglasilo začasno preložitev sodnih postopkov, razen nujnih zadev. Sodni postopki so od 4. maja 2020 postopoma ponovno začeli teči. | The justice system suffers from a nearly complete lack of digitalisation. Very limited information about the judicial system is available for the general public 20 . Furthermore, there is no electronic information on case progress and no electronic case management system 21 . This issue has also been addressed in the context of the 2020 European Semester, by a recommendation to improve the digitalisation of the judicial system 22 . The introduction of an electronic court administration system is one of the main objectives of the ongoing reforms. However, its implementation and the relevant public procurement procedures have been delayed since 2017. In the meantime, an electronic mini-registry has been prepared and installed in all civil registries and the Supreme Court to allow for a more efficient processing of applications, pending the full implementation of the e-justice system 23 . In this context, it should be noted that the Supreme Court announced the suspension of court proceedings, with the exception of urgent cases, as part of the emergency measures to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Court proceedings have been gradually resuming since 4 May 2020. |
| Sprejet je bil zakon o ustanovitvi šole za (vseživljenjsko) usposabljanje sodnikov. Zakon o ustanovitvi šole za usposabljanje sodnikov je bil sprejet 14. avgusta 2020 24 . Šola za sodnike bo imela sedež na vrhovnem sodišču in bo odgovorna za usposabljanje in izobraževanje sodnikov 25 ter razvoj znanstvenega raziskovanja, povezanega s pravosodnim področjem. | A law establishing a (lifelong) training school for judges has been adopted. The law establishing a training school for judges was adopted on 14 August 2020 24 . The School of judges will be based within the Supreme Court and will be responsible for judicial training and education of judges 25 and for the development of scientific research related to judicial matters. |
| Učinkovitost | Efficiency |
| Pravosodni sistem se spoprijema z resnimi izzivi glede učinkovitosti. Čas, potreben za rešitev civilnih, gospodarskih in upravnih zadev na sodiščih prve stopnje (737 dni leta 2018 v primerjavi s 1118 dni leta 2017), ostaja med najdaljšimi v EU. V upravnem pravosodju se učinkovitost povečuje na prvi stopnji, kar se odraža v krajšem trajanju postopkov (487 dni leta 2018 v primerjavi z 2162 dni leta 2017) in višji stopnji rešenih zadev (približno 219 % leta 2018 v primerjavi s približno 74 % leta 2017). Vendar so postopki na najvišji stopnji še vedno zelo dolgotrajni (2156 dni leta 2018) 26 . Potreba po povečanju učinkovitosti pravosodnega sistema je bila omenjena tudi v zgoraj navedenem priporočilu v okviru evropskega semestra 2020 27 . | The justice system is experiencing serious efficiency challenges. The time needed to resolve civil, commercial and administrative cases in first instance courts (737 days in 2018, compared to 1118 in 2017) still remains among the highest in the EU. In administrative justice, efficiency gains at first instance, reflected in a reduced length of proceedings (487 days in 2018 compared to 2162 days in 2017) and higher clearance rates (around 219% in 2018 compared to around 74% in 2017). However, very lengthy proceedings in the final instance (2156 days in 2018) remain 26 . The need to improve the efficiency of the judicial system has also been raised in the above-mentioned recommendation addressed in the context of the 2020 European Semester 27 . |
| Sprejet je bil akcijski načrt za spopadanje z izzivi glede učinkovitosti, ki se izvaja, čeprav z nekaj zamude. Pomemben korak v programu reform je bil pregled delovanja ciprskih sodišč 28 , ki je bil končan marca 2018 in v okviru katerega je bilo izdanih več priporočil v zvezi z delovanjem vrhovnega sodišča in sodišč prve stopnje ter upravljanjem sodišč. Na podlagi teh priporočil je vlada pripravila podroben akcijski načrt za reformo pravosodja 29 . Ustanovljen je bil odbor za reformo sodišč, v katerem sodelujejo zadevni deležniki 30 , za lažje izvajanje akcijskega načrta in podporo pri njegovem izvajanju. Čeprav so organi izrazili svojo zavezanost obravnavi pomanjkljivosti pravosodnega sistema, so pri izvedbi večine načrtovanih ukrepov zamude, saj mora o njih odločiti še predstavniški dom. | An action plan to address these efficiency challenges has been adopted and its implementation is ongoing, albeit with some delay. An important step in the reform agenda has been the functional review study of the Cyprus Courts 28 concluded in March 2018, which made a number of recommendations concerning the operation of the Supreme Court and the Courts of First Instance as well as the management of the courts. On the basis of these recommendations, the Government has prepared a detailed action plan for judicial reform 29 . Α Courts’ Reform Committee, where relevant stakeholders participate 30 , has been established to facilitate and support the implementation of the action plan. While the authorities have expressed their commitment to address the shortcomings of the justice system, the implementation of most planned actions is delayed, being still pending before the House of Representatives. |
| Reforme določajo ustanovitev novih sodišč. Predlagana je bila nova zakonodaja za ustanovitev gospodarskega sodišča 31 . Ta vsebuje določbe o zadevah, ki bodo spadale v pristojnost sodišča, in kvalifikacijah sodnikov. Namen je zagotoviti ustrezen forum za reševanje gospodarskih zadev na visoki ravni. V pričakovanju sprejetja tega zakona je bilo že odobrenih pet sodniških mest, ki so vključena v državni proračun. Drug predlog zakona, ki čaka na obravnavo v predstavniškem domu, poleg tega določa vzpostavitev nove pristojnosti na okrožnih sodiščih. V skladu s tem predlogom zakona bo vsak sodnik na okrožnem sodišču pristojen za obravnavo vseh tožb v sporih, ki izhajajo iz kreditov ali so z njimi povezani, ne glede na znesek v sporu in vrednost premoženja, ter za odločanje o teh tožbah. Junija 2019 je začelo delovati novo upravno sodišče za odločanje o mednarodni zaščiti 32 . V skladu z zakonom o ustanovitvi tega sodišča bo upravno sodišče na to sodišče preneslo zadeve, povezane z mednarodno zaščito, da bi pospešilo postopke v zadevah te kategorije in bi hkrati imelo na voljo več časa za obravnavo vseh drugih zadev. Zmogljivost sodišča je bila 1. septembra okrepljena z zaposlitvijo dveh dodatnih sodnikov (ustrezna sprememba je bila sprejeta januarja 2020) in desetih upravnih uradnikov za zagotavljanje podpore sodnikom (pet jih je bilo že zaposlenih) 33 . | The reforms provide for the establishment of new courts. New legislation has been proposed for the establishment of a Commercial Court 31 . It includes provisions for the cases that will fall under the jurisdiction of the Court and the qualifications of the judges. The intention is to provide an appropriate forum for the adjudication of high profile commercial cases. In anticipation of the adoption of this law, five judicial posts have already been approved and are included in the state budget. Additionally, another new draft law provides for the creation of a new jurisdiction within the District Courts and is also pending before the House of Representatives. According to the draft legislation, any District Court Judge will have the jurisdiction to hear and determine any application concerning disputes arising out of or in connection with credit facilities, regardless of the amount of the dispute and of the value of the property. In June 2019, a new Administrative Court of International Protection has started operating 32 . According to the law establishing this court, cases relating to international protection will be transferred to this court from the Administrative Court, so as to expedite the proceedings of this category of cases, and at the same time allow the Administrative Court more time to deal with all other cases. The capacity of the court has been enhanced on 1 September through the recruitment of two new additional judges (the relevant amendment was enacted in January 2020) and ten administrative officers to provide support to the judges (five of them are already posted) 33 . |
| Odprava sodnih zaostankov na sodiščih je v procesu reform nujna naloga. Vrhovno sodišče je imenovalo predsednika okrožnega sodišča kot „odgovornega za vodenje zadev“, da bo spremljal in nadziral pravočasnost obravnav sodnih zaostankov. Ustanavljanje skupine sodnikov se je začelo s postopkom za zaposlitev več dodatnih sodnikov, ki še poteka, in podpornega osebja. Po odločitvi vrhovnega sodišča iz februarja 2019, da se finančni spori, povezani s slabimi posojili, dodelijo v obravnavo šestim sodnikom na okrožnih sodiščih, ki že opravljajo svojo funkcijo, je bilo decembra 2019 organizirano posebno usposabljanje 34 . | The clearance of backlogs of delayed cases, which have accumulated in the courts, is a pressing task in the reform process. A President of a District Court has been appointed by the Supreme Court to act as ‘case manager’ in order to monitor and oversee the timely handling of the backlog of cases. The creation of a taskforce of judges has commenced with the recruitment of a number of additional judges, the procedure being under way, and the recruitment of supporting staff. Following a decision of the Supreme Court in February 2019 to assign the handling of financial disputes relating to non-performing loans (NPLs) to six already serving District Court judges, specialised training was organised in December 2019 34 . |
| Pregled pravil pravdnega postopka, ki naj bi se predvidoma končal do junija 2020, bo končan oktobra tega leta. To je pomembna reforma, ki naj bi prispevala k povečanju učinkovitosti pravosodnega sistema. Namen spremembe zakona o pravdnem postopku je poenostaviti izvršitev sodnih odločb o zasegu premičnin. Poleg tega naj bi spremenjena pravila pravdnega postopka izboljšala izvrševanje sodb. | The review of the Civil Procedure Rule, which was expected to be completed by June 2020, is delayed until October this year. This is an important reform, which should contribute to improve the efficiency of the justice system. The amendment to the Civil Procedure Law will aim at making it easier to carry out court decisions to seize movable property. Furthermore, the revised rules of civil procedure are expected to improve the enforcement of judgments. |
| II.Protikorupcijski okvir | II.Anti-corruption framework |
| Ciper je spremenil protikorupcijski pravni okvir in nacionalni horizontalni akcijski načrt, ki uvaja ključne elemente nacionalne protikorupcijske strategije in ga je odobril svet ministrov maja 2019. Generalni državni tožilec ima splošno pristojnost za pregon kaznivih dejanj, vključno s korupcijo. Tožilstvo pravno svetuje organom kazenskega pregona, ki preiskujejo kazniva dejanja korupcije. Več pravnih ukrepov še čaka na sprejetje, na primer predlog zakona o ustanovitvi neodvisnega protikorupcijskega organa, predlog zakona o lobiranju in predlog zakona o prijavi kaznivih dejanj korupcije, ki vključuje določbe o zaščiti žvižgačev. | Cyprus amended its anti-corruption legal framework and a National Horizontal Action Plan, implementing key elements of the National Anti-corruption Strategy, which was approved by the Council of Ministers in May 2019. The Attorney-General has an overall competence to prosecute criminal offences, including corruption. The Prosecution Office provides legal advice to law enforcement authorities investigating corruption offences. Several legal measures are pending adoption, for example, the bill to establish an independent anti-corruption authority, a bill on lobbying and a bill on the reporting of corruption offences, which includes provisions on the protection of whistle-blowers. |
| Ciprski indeks zaznave korupcije, ki ga objavlja organizacija Transparency international, je bil leta 2019 58/100, s čimer se Ciper uvršča na 12. mesto v Evropski uniji in na 41. mesto na svetu 35 . V raziskavi Eurobarometer iz leta 2020 95 % anketirancev meni, da je korupcija močno razširjena težava (povprečje v EU: 71 %), 60 % pa, da korupcija vpliva nanje osebno v vsakodnevnem življenju (povprečje v EU: 26 %) 36 . Kar zadeva podjetja, jih 88 % meni, da je korupcija močno razširjena (povprečje v EU: 63 %), 48 % pa, da korupcija otežuje poslovanje (povprečje v EU: 37 %). 24 % posameznikov meni, da je dovolj uspešnih primerov pregona, ki ljudi odvračajo od koruptivnih ravnanj (povprečje v EU: 36 %), medtem ko 11 % podjetij meni, da so posamezniki in podjetja, ki so bili zaloteni pri podkupovanju visokega uradnika, ustrezno kaznovani (povprečje v EU: 31 %) 37 . | Cyprus scores 58/100 in the 2019 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index and was ranked 12th in the EU and 41st globally 35 . 95% of respondents to a 2020 Eurobarometer survey consider corruption to be a widespread problem (EU average: 71%) and 60% of people feel personally affected by corruption in their daily lives (EU average: 26%) 36 . As regards business, 88% of companies consider that corruption is widespread (EU average: 63%) and 48% consider that corruption is a problem when doing business (EU average: 37%). 24% of people find that there are enough successful prosecutions to deter people from corrupt practices (EU average: 36%) while 11% of companies consider that people and businesses caught for bribing a senior official are appropriately punished (EU average: 31%) 37 . |
| Kazenska protikorupcijska zakonodaja je večinoma vzpostavljena. Vidika kazenskega in procesnega prava z ustreznimi opredelitvami kaznivih dejanj in zastaralnimi roki sta vzpostavljena in večinoma v skladu z mednarodnimi standardi 38 . Sankcije za pravne osebe, obsojene korupcije, zajemajo tudi izključitev iz postopkov za oddajo javnega naročila. Predlog zakona za kazniva dejanja korupcije, ki jih storijo pravne osebe, določa večje globe in začasno zaprtje podjetja. Zakon o boju proti manipulaciji športnih tekmovanj, katerega cilj je boj proti koruptivnemu ravnanju v športu, je bil sprejet 15. decembra 2017 in opredeljuje nova kazniva dejanja korupcije na tem področju. Za vsa kazniva dejanja, povezana s korupcijo, je bila vzpostavljena izredna krajevna pristojnost sodišč Republike Ciper. | The criminal anti-corruption legislation is broadly in place. The criminal and procedural law aspects with relevant definitions of offences and a statute of limitations are in place and broadly in line with international standards 38 . Sanctions for legal persons convicted for corruption also comprise their exclusion from public tender procedures. A bill provides for increased fines and the temporary closing of business for corruption offences committed by legal persons. The Law on the fight against Manipulation of Sports Competitions aiming to combat corruptive behaviour in sports was enacted on 15 December 2017 and defines new corruption offences in this area. The extra-territorial jurisdiction of the Courts of the Republic of Cyprus has been established for all offences relating to corruption. |
| Izvaja se nacionalni akcijski načrt za boj proti korupciji. Nacionalni horizontalni akcijski načrt za boj proti korupciji, ki uvaja ključne elemente nacionalne protikorpucijske strategije 39 , je odobril svet ministrov maja 2019. Nekateri ključni ukrepi iz akcijskega načrta še niso sprejeti, zlasti predlog zakona o ustanovitvi neodvisnega protikorupcijskega organa. Poleg tega na sprejetje v predstavniškem domu od maja 2017 oziroma maja 2019 čakata predlog zakona o prijavi dejanj korupcije, vključno z določbami o žvižgačih, in predlog zakona o preglednosti v postopkih javnega odločanja in povezanih vprašanjih, vključno z določbami o lobističnih dejavnostih. Za čas do ustanovitve neodvisnega organa 40 je bil za spremljanje izvajanja nacionalnega horizontalnega akcijskega načrta odgovoren urad za preglednost in preprečevanje korupcije, kar je začasna ureditev. V javnih organih so bile imenovane informacijske točke, vendar je urad kadrovsko podhranjen 41 . | The implementation of the National Action plan against Corruption is ongoing. A National Horizontal Action Plan against Corruption, which implements the key elements of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 39 , was approved by the Council of Ministers in May 2019. Some key measures in the Action Plan are still pending adoption, notably the draft law establishing an independent anti-corruption authority. Furthermore, the bill on “the Reporting of Acts of Corruption Law” including provisions on whistle-blowers and the bill on the Transparency in Public Decision Procedures and Related Issues Law, including provisions on lobbying activities, are pending for adoption in the House of Representatives, respectively since May 2017 and May 2019. While waiting for the independent authority to be established 40 , as a temporary arrangement the responsibility for monitoring the implementation of the National Horizontal Action Plan has been entrusted to the Office for Transparency and Prevention of Corruption. Focal points have been designated in the public bodies, but the office is understaffed 41 . |
| Pristojnosti za preprečevanje, preiskavo in pregon korupcije si delijo različni organi. Ministrstvo za pravosodje in javni red je odgovorno za usklajevanje politike v zvezi z bojem proti korupciji. Generalni državni tožilec je na splošno odgovoren za kazenski pregon, kar vključuje tudi pravico do prekinitve kazenskega pregona. Tožilstvo (tožilstvo republike, urad generalnega državnega tožilca) neposredno pravno svetuje kriminalistom. Svetuje jim o vprašanjih v zvezi s korupcijo, kazenskim pravom, kazenskim postopkom in dokazi. Je kontaktna točka med policijo in tožilstvom republike (uradom generalnega državnega tožilca). Organi so poročali, da je bilo od leta 2013 do 2018 skupno preiskanih 120 primerov korupcije ali je o njih potekala preiskava, od tega je bilo 98 primerov končanih, 22 primerov pa je še v preiskavi. 47 primerov čaka na sojenje ali v teh primerih sojenje že poteka. V 26 primerih je bilo korupcije obsojenih 37 oseb, od tega je bilo 12 obsodb zaradi korupcije izrečenih na visoki ravni, vključno z namestnikom generalnega državnega tožilca, poslanci in nekdanjimi ministri. Policija ima posebno skupino za finančne preiskave. Sestavlja jo pet finančnih analitikov – preizkušenih računovodij ali revizorjev in dva izkušena kriminalista. Njen namen je zagotoviti podporo in strokovno znanje kriminalistom, ki preiskujejo huda kazniva dejanja, povezana s finančnimi kaznivimi dejanji, vključno s primeri korupcije. Obstaja tudi služba za notranje zadeve, ki je pristojna za preiskavo suma korupcije znotraj policije. Ta služba preiskuje vse primere suma in pritožbe, vključno s tistimi, ki so vložene anonimno, v zvezi s koruptivnimi ravnanji ali opustitvami članov policije. Notranja služba deluje in je preiskala 12 primerov korupcije, od katerih je v enem primeru sledila obsodba 42 . | The competences to prevent, investigate and prosecute corruption are shared among several authorities. The Ministry of Justice and Public Order is responsible for the policy coordination as regards the fight against corruption. The Attorney-General has an overall responsibility for criminal prosecutions, including the right to discontinue a prosecution. The Prosecution Office (the Prosecution Service of the Republic Attorney General’s Office) provides direct legal advice to police investigators. It advises them on issues concerning corruption, criminal law, criminal procedure and evidence. It is the contact point between the Police and the Prosecution Service of the Republic (Attorney General’s Office). Authorities reported that a total number of 120 corruption cases had been investigated or were under investigation between 2013 and 2018, out of which 98 have been completed and 22 cases are still under investigation. 47 cases are pending for trial or under trial. 37 persons were convicted for corruption in 26 cases, out of which there were 12 high-level corruption convictions, including the deputy Attorney General, members of the House of Representatives and ex-ministers. The Police has a special team for financial investigations. This team consists of five financial analysts-certified accountants or auditors and two experienced police investigators. Its purpose is to provide support and expertise to the police investigators who are investigating serious criminal cases related to financial crime including corruption cases. An Internal Affairs Service in charge of investigating corruption allegations within the police also exists. This Service investigates all allegations and complaints, including those filed anonymously, regarding corrupt practices or omissions by members of the police. The internal service is operational and has investigated 12 corruption cases, of which one resulted in a conviction 42 . |
| Zakonodaja še ne zagotavlja zaščite žvižgačev. O zaščiti žvižgačev na podlagi notranjih politik presodi delodajalec. Predlog zakona o prijavi dejanj korupcije čaka na sprejetje v predstavniškem domu. Njegov cilj je zagotoviti dodatne določbe o zaščiti žvižgačev 43 . | Whistle-blower protection is not yet provided for by law. It falls within the employer’s discretion to protect whistle-blowers through internal policies. A draft law on ‘Reporting of Acts of Corruption’ is pending before the House of Representatives. The draft aims to provide supplementary provisions on the protection of whistle-blowers 43 . |
| Lobiranje ni urejeno. Predlog zakona za ureditev lobističnih dejavnosti čaka na sprejetje v parlamentu od maja 2019 44 . Predlog zakona zahteva, da se registrirajo vse lobistične skupine in evidentirajo njihova srečanja. Predvideno je, da bo ob sprejetju tega zakona ustanovljen tudi neodvisni organ za boj proti korupciji, ki bo odgovoren za vodenje registra lobistov. Trenutno ni samourejanja dejavnosti lobistov, na Cipru pa ni niti njihovega poklicnega združenja. | Lobbying is not regulated. A draft law to regulate lobbying activities is pending for adoption in Parliament since May 2019 44 . The draft law requires all lobbying groups to be registered and to record their meetings. The adoption of this law is envisaged to accompany the establishment of the Independent Authority against Corruption, which will be responsible for keeping the registry of lobbyists. Currently there is no self-regulation of lobbyists’ activities and Cyprus has no professional association of lobbyists. |
| Navzkrižjem interesov je treba posvetiti pozornost. Kar zadeva navzkrižja interesov, so določbe o zadevah v zvezi z navzkrižjem interesov višjih javnih uslužbencev zajete v predlogu zakona o lobiranju. Uvedeno je tudi obdobje mirovanja, v katerem se višji javni uslužbenci dve leti od dneva prenehanja delovnega razmerja ne morejo vpisati v register. Kodeks ravnanja obstaja za člane vlade, javne uslužbence in tožilce, za poslance pa ni podobnih določb. Postopek za pripravo in sprejem kodeksa ravnanja za poslance se je začel konec leta 2019. Namen kodeksa bi bil ponuditi smernice za preprečevanje in obvladovanje navzkrižij interesov v zvezi s poslanci. | Conflicts of interests need attention. As regards conflicts of interest, there are provisions foreseen in the draft-lobbying bill that regulate matters of conflict of interests of senior civil servants. A cooling off period is also introduced, where senior civil servants cannot register in the Registry, unless two years have elapsed since the day on which his services ceased. While Codes of Conduct exist for Members of the Government, public officials and prosecutors, there are no similar provisions for the members of the House of Representatives. A procedure to draft and adopt a Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament began in late 2019. The Code would aim at offering guidance on how to prevent and manage conflicts of interest concerning Members of Parliament. |
| Pravila o prijavi premoženja so vzpostavljena, predvidene so sankcije za neupoštevanje obveznosti. Predsednik, ministri, poslanci, nekateri uradniki republike, visoki javni uradniki in druge javno izpostavljene osebe morajo predložiti podrobne prijave premoženja in sredstev, skupaj s premoženjem in sredstvi njihovih zakoncev in mladoletnih otrok. Take prijave je treba oddati/predložiti v treh mesecih od nastopa funkcije, vsake tri leta v času opravljanja funkcije in v treh mesecih po njenem prenehanju. Prijave premoženja predsednika republike, ministrov in poslancev so bile leta 2019 predložene posebnemu parlamentarnemu odboru in bile objavljene. Organ, pooblaščen za preverjanje prijav premoženja drugih uradnikov in politično izpostavljenih oseb, je poseben svet, sestavljen iz treh članov, ki jih je leta 2017 imenoval svet ministrov. Organa, pooblaščena za preverjanje prijav premoženja (tj. posebni parlamentarni odbor in svet), lahko za preiskavo imenujeta preizkušene računovodje 45 . Medtem ko je v poročilu evropskega semestra 2020 ugotovljeno, da so pravila vzpostavljena, so bili izraženi pomisleki v zvezi s preverjanjem premoženja. Svet, pooblaščen za preverjanje, je zaradi nepredložitve prijave naložil več glob. Poleg tega obstajajo pomisleki v zvezi s točnostjo prijav 46 . | Asset disclosure rules are in place and sanctions for non-compliance are envisaged. The President, the Ministers, the members of the House of Representatives, certain Officers of the Republic, high ranking public officials and other publicly exposed persons have to submit detailed declarations of their property and assets, together with those of their spouses and under-age children. Such declarations have to be made/submitted within three months from assuming office, every three years as long as they hold office and within three months after leaving office. Asset declarations of the President of the Republic, Ministers and members of the House of Representatives were submitted to a special parliamentary committee and published in 2019. The body entrusted with the verification of the other officers and Politically Exposed Persons’ declarations is a special Council, consisting of three members appointed by the Council of Ministers in 2017. The two bodies entrusted with the verification of the declarations (i.e. the Special Parliamentary Committee and the Council) may assign investigations to certified accountants 45 . While rules are found to be in place in the 2020 European semester report, issues were raised as regards the verification of assets. The Council entrusted with verification has filed several fines for non-submission of declarations. In addition, concerns exist as regards the accuracy of declaration 46 . |
| III.Pluralnost medijev | III.Media Pluralism |
| Svoboda izražanja in pravica dostopa do informacij sta pravno in formalno zaščiteni v členu 19 ustave Republike Ciper. Sekundarna zakonodaja izrecno varuje pravico novinarjev, da zaščitijo svoje vire 47 , in spodbuja pluralnost medijev v radijskem in televizijskem sektorju 48 . Sprememba zakona o tisku je predvidena pri prenosu revidirane direktive o avdiovizualnih medijskih storitvah. Na podlagi napovedanih sprememb bi bili elektronski informacijski mediji prvič izrecno urejeni, uvedene pa bi bile tudi dodatne določbe v zvezi s pravicami novinarjev. Zakon o pravici dostopa do informacij v javnem sektorju (2017) naj bi začel veljati decembra 2020. Ciper je obrekovanje dekriminaliziral leta 2003 49 . | In Cyprus, freedom of expression and the right of access to information find legal and formal protection in Article 19 of the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus. Secondary legislation expressly protects the right of journalists to protect their sources 47 and fosters media pluralism in the radio and television sector 48 . A revision of the Press Law is envisaged in view of transposing the revised Audio-Visual Media Service Directive. The announced changes would lead to the electronic information media being expressly regulated for the first time and the introduction of additional provisions dedicated to the rights of journalists. The Right to Access to Public Sector Information Law (2017) is expected to come into force in December 2020. Cyprus decriminalised defamation in 2003 49 . |
| Neodvisnost regulativnega organa za avdiovizualne medijske storitve, ciprskega organa za radio in televizijo, je pravno urejena. Njegove pristojnosti in odgovornosti so določene v členu 3 zakona o izdajateljih radijskih in televizijskih programov 7(I)/1998 (kakor je bil spremenjen). Te med drugim vključujejo nadzorovanje statusa dejanskega lastništva pri ponudnikih medijskih storitev, da se zagotovi njihova neodvisnost ter odpravijo koncentracija, oligopol ali monopol, zagotavljanje novinarske in ustvarjalne neodvisnosti zaposlenih pri ponudnikih medijskih storitev in pripravo poročila o razvoju pluralizma in koncentraciji deležev pri ponudnikih medijskih storitev vsake tri leta. | The independence of the regulator for audio-visual media services, the Cyprus Radio-Television Authority, is legally guaranteed. Its competences and responsibilities are set out in Article 3 of the Radio and Television Broadcasters Law 7(I)/1998 (as amended). These include, inter alia, controlling the actual ownership status of media service providers with a view to ensuring their independence as well as the elimination of concentration, oligopoly or monopoly; ensuring the journalistic and creative independence of the employees of media service providers and drawing up a report every three years on the development of pluralism and the concentration of shares in media service providers. |
| Ta regulativni sistem vzpostavlja pravno neodvisen organ z jasno opredeljenimi pooblastili, poleg tega pa ima organ na voljo zadostna finančna sredstva. V poročilu orodja za spremljanje pluralnosti medijev MPM je navedeno, da se odločitve organa redno objavljajo, da so predmet sodnega nadzora in da jih vlada ne more spremeniti. Zato poročilo MPM vsebuje oceno, da je splošno tveganje za neodvisnost organa v smislu funkcionalne neodvisnosti, izvršilnih pooblastil in ustreznosti virov majhno. Vendar je ocenjeno, da je tveganje za dejansko neodvisnost organa srednje veliko. To je posledica pomislekov glede meril za izbiro, ki jih vlada uporablja pri imenovanju članov organa, neodvisnosti v praksi ter vprašanj preglednosti in odgovornosti 50 . | This regulatory system establishes a legally independent authority with clearly defined powers and the authority is endowed with adequate financial resources. The MPM points out that the Authority’s decisions are published on a regular basis, are subject to judicial review and cannot be overturned by the Government. Consequently, the MPM assesses the overall risk to independence in terms of the functional independence, enforcement powers and adequacy of resources of the Authority as low. The effective independence of the Authority is however assessed to be at medium risk. This is due to concerns about the selection criteria used for the appointment of the members of the authority by the Government, independence in practice as well as issues of transparency and accountability 50 . |
| Ciper ima neodvisni svet za tisk – komisijo za pritožbe glede medijev 51 . Sestavlja jo 13 članov in je odgovorna za samourejanje tiskanih in elektronskih novičarskih medijev ter je popolnoma neodvisna od poseganja vlade in sodnega nadzora. Financirajo jo izključno njeni ustanovitelji in izvaja kodeks ravnanja 52 , v katerem so opredeljene dolžnosti in pravice novinarjev. Komisija za pritožbe sprejema pritožbe javnosti glede številnih vprašanj, vključno s točnostjo informacij, pravico do izpodbijanja, pravico do zasebnosti, avtorskimi pravicami, domnevo nedolžnosti, diskriminacijo, varovanjem poklicne skrivnosti in javnim interesom. Poročilo Media Pluralism Monitor vsebuje priporočilo, naj novinarji, ki so združeni v sindikat, in novinarji, ki niso člani sindikata, ter vsi deležniki medijev z namenom obravnave nedavnih izzivov, s katerimi se spopadajo mediji na Cipru, ponovno potrdijo svojo vlogo in zahtevajo nazaj svoj status, da si bodo povrnili zaupanje javnosti 53 . | Cyprus has an independent press council, the Media Complaints Commission 51 . It consists of 13 members and is responsible for the self-regulation of the news media, both written and electronic and is entirely free from government interference and judicial supervision. It is financed solely by its founders and implements a Code of Practice 52 which defines the duties and rights of journalists. The Complaints Commission accepts complaints from the public on a host of issues including accuracy of information, the right of rebuttal, the right to privacy, copyright, the presumption of innocence, discrimination, professional privilege and the public interest. The Media Pluralism Monitor recommends that to address the recent challenges faced by the media in Cyprus, unionised and non-unionised journalists and all media stakeholders should reaffirm their role and reclaim their status to regain the public’s trust 53 . |
| Regulativni okvir na Cipru omogoča določeno stopnjo preglednosti lastništva medijev v sektorju avdiovizualnih medijev. Preglednost zagotavlja organ za radio in televizijo, dosega pa se predvsem s podrobnimi postopki izdajanja licenc in registracije, ki jih določa zgoraj navedeni zakon 54 . V zvezi s sistemski nadzorom, ki ga izvaja organ, so v poročilu 2020 MPM navedeni pomisleki glede učinkovitosti izvajanja v praksi. Poleg tega ni okvira, ki bi zagotavljal preglednost lastništva v sektorju tiskanih in digitalnih medijev, kar otežuje ugotavljanje in preverjanje dejanskih lastnikov ali navzkrižnega lastništva v teh sektorjih. Zato vsebuje poročilo MPM oceno, da je preglednost lastništva medijev izpostavljena velikemu tveganju (81 %). Zaradi tega dejavnika v povezavi z drugimi – kot je precejšnja koncentracija novičarskih medijev in nereguliran trg spletnih medijev – se je ocena tveganja MPM za področje pluralnosti trga spremenila z majhnega do srednje velikega tveganja v letu 2017 (34 %) na veliko tveganje v letu 2020 (74 %). Kljub temu je v poročilu MPM poudarjeno, da se v televizijskem sektorju kaže precejšnja pluralnost, saj imajo štirje od sedmih komercialnih televizijskih kanalov in javni izdajatelj televizijskih programov skoraj enak delež občinstva. | The regulatory framework in Cyprus allows for a certain degree of transparency of media ownership in the audio-visual media sector. Transparency is guaranteed by the Radio-Television Authority and conducted mainly via the detailed licensing and registration procedures established by the above-mentioned Act 54 . Regarding systematic scrutiny by the Authority, the 2020 MPM raises concerns with regard to the efficiency of its implementation in practice. Furthermore, there is no framework guaranteeing ownership transparency in the written press and digital media sectors which makes it difficult to identify and verify ultimate owners or cross-ownership in these sectors. Consequently, the MPM assesses that transparency of media ownership is at high risk (81%). This factor, coupled with others - such as considerable news media concentration and an unregulated online media market – has resulted in the MPM risk rating for the market plurality area going from low medium risk (34%) in 2017 to high risk in 2020 (74%). Nonetheless, MPM points out that the television sector manifests considerable plurality given that four of the seven commercial TV channels and the public service media broadcaster attract almost equal audience shares. |
| Vzpostavljeni so mehanizmi za varovanje politične neodvisnosti in preprečevanje navzkrižja interesov. V smislu politične neodvisnosti ustrezni regulativni organi učinkovito uveljavljajo prage za lastništvo, določene v zakonu o nezdružljivosti za osebe na javnih funkcijah 55 , ter tako spodbujajo pluralizem. Vendar je v poročilu MPM poudarjeno, da se zdi, da pritisk podjetij spodbuja okolje za samocenzuro v uredništvu. Trenutno ni okvira, ki bi urejal porazdelitev državnega oglaševanja, čeprav je v poročilu MPM navedeno, da se zdi, da sistem v praksi deluje pošteno. Organi so Komisijo obvestili, da naj bi bil do konca leta 2020 vzpostavljen nov mehanizem za pravično dodeljevanje oglaševanja političnih kampanj. | Mechanisms are in place to safeguard political independence and to prevent conflicts of interest. In terms of political independence, ownership thresholds and constraints on ownership laid down in the Law on incompatibilities for persons occupying public office 55 are efficiently enforced by the relevant regulators, thereby promoting pluralism. However, the MPM points out that the corporate pressure appears to foster a climate of self-censorship among editorial staff. Currently, there exists no framework regulating the distribution of state advertising, although the MPM points out that the system appears to operate fairly in practice. The authorities informed the Commission that a new mechanism for the equitable allocation of political campaign advertising is expected to be in place by the end of 2020. |
| Grožnje varnosti novinarjev so zelo redke. Na platformi Sveta Evrope za spodbujanje zaščite novinarstva in varnosti novinarjev leta 2019 ni bilo objavljenih nobenih opozoril glede Cipra. Leta 2020 je bilo objavljeno eno opozorilo v zvezi z doma izdelano cevno bombo, ki je 4. marca 2020 eksplodirala na vhodu v prostore poročevalske agencije (v katerih imajo prostore tudi lokalni spletni novičarski medij Cyprustimes.com ter drugi spletni mediji na področju športa, financ in zabavne industrije) in povzročila veliko škodo na stavbi. Vlada je napad hitro obsodila in izjavila, da bo država sprejela potrebne ukrepe za izsleditev storilcev 56 . | Threats to the safety of journalists are very rare. In 2019, the Council of Europe’s Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists published no alerts concerning Cyprus. One alert was published in 2020 relating to a homemade pipe bomb, which exploded at the entrance of the offices of news agency MC Digital Media (which hosts local online news outlet Cyprustimes.com and other online sport, finance and show business titles) on 4 March 2020 causing extensive damage to the building. The Government swiftly condemned the attack and declared that the State will take all the necessary measures to identify the perpetrators 56 . |
| IV.Druga institucionalna vprašanja, povezana s sistemom zavor in ravnovesij | IV.Other Institutional Issues related to Checks and Balances |
| Republika Ciper je predsedniška predstavniška republika. Ciprski predsednik je hkrati voditelj države in predsednik vlade. Predstavniški dom je parlament, ki ima zakonodajna pooblastila. Pravico do zakonodajne pobude imajo poslanci in ministri. Vrhovno sodišče ima pristojnosti v zvezi z ustavnostjo zakonov 57 . Obstajajo številni nacionalni neodvisni organi, organizacija in institucije, katerih cilj sta varstvo in zaščita človekovih pravic. | The Republic of Cyprus is a presidential representative republic. The President of Cyprus is both Head of State and Head of Government. The House of Representatives is the Parliament and is vested with legislative power. Both Representatives and Ministers have the right of legislative initiative. The Supreme Court is competent regarding the constitutionality of laws 57 . A number of national independent Authorities, organizations and institutions that aim to protect and safeguard human rights exist. |
| Potekajo prizadevanja za izboljšanje posvetovanja z deležniki pri pripravi zakonodaje. V okviru projekta za boljše pravno urejanje 58 in v skladu z zadevnimi okrožnicami ministrstva za finance in pravne službe je treba pred vložitvijo vladnega predloga zakona izvesti javno posvetovanje z vsemi deležniki. V celoti izpolnjen vprašalnik je priložen vsakemu predlogu zakona, ki se predloži v odobritev svetu ministrov in nato v sprejem predstavniškemu domu, na njem pa so predstavljeni vsi vidiki predlaganega zakona in posvetovanje, ki je bilo izvedeno 59 . V zvezi z regulativnim okvirom za ocene učinka primarnih zakonov in podrejenih predpisov, ki jih je Ciper sprejel leta 2017, obstaja več izzivov. Te izzive bi bilo mogoče rešiti z upoštevanjem širšega nabora stroškov in koristi ter ustanovitvijo nadzornega organa za nadzor nad kakovostjo ocen učinka 60 . | Efforts are ongoing to improve the consultation of stakeholders when preparing legislation. In the context of the Better Regulation Project 58 and relevant circulars of the Ministry of Finance and the Legal Service, there is an obligation to conduct a public consultation with all stakeholders before proceeding with a governmental bill. A fully completed, questionnaire accompanies every bill submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval and subsequently presented before the House of Representatives for enactment, explaining all aspects of the proposed legislation and the consultation that has taken place 59 . A number of challenges exist regarding the regulatory impact assessment framework concerning both primary laws and subordinate regulations, introduced by Cyprus in 2017. These challenges could be improved by considering a broader range of costs and benefits, and establishing an oversight body for impact assessment quality control 60 . |
| Vlada je bila pooblaščena za sprejetje ukrepov za spopadanje s pandemijo COVID-19. Izredno stanje, ki je zapisano v ustavi, ni bilo razglašeno 61 , vendar se je vlada oprla na zakon o obvladovanju epidemije (zakon o karanteni), ki svet ministrov, ministra za zdravje in druge ministre pooblašča, da izdajo uredbe za obvladovanje izrednega stanja 62 . | The Government has been empowered to adopt measures to face the COVID-19 pandemic. The state of emergency enshrined in the constitution has not been declared 61 but the Government has relied on the Law on the Control of Epidemics (Quarantine Law) which empowers the Council of Ministers, the Minister of Health and other Ministers to issue decrees to deal with the emergency situation 62 . |
| Osnutek zakonodaje predvideva ustanovitev ustavnega sodišča, ki bi od vrhovnega sodišča prevzelo presojo ustavnosti zakonov. Vrhovno sodišče je pristojno za razsojanje o združljivosti zakona z ustavo ali o sporih o pristojnosti med katerimi koli telesi ali organi republike. Poleg tega se lahko nanj obrne predsednik republike z vprašanjem, ali je zakon, ki ga je sprejel predstavniški dom, neskladen z ustavo. V skladu z ustavo lahko katera koli stranka sodnega postopka postavi vprašanje o ustavnosti katerega koli zakona ali odločbe, v zvezi s katero je treba odločiti o kateri koli zadevi v postopku. V takem primeru sodišče, pred katerim je bilo postavljeno tako vprašanje, odloži nadaljnje postopke, dokler vrhovno sodišče ne sprejme odločitve. | Draft legislation foresees the creation of a Constitutional Court that would take over the constitutionality review of laws from the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction to adjudicate on the compatibility of a law with the Constitution or any conflict of competence between any organs or authorities of the Republic. In addition, it can hear a recourse by the President of the Republic as to whether a law passed by the House of Representatives is inconsistent with the Constitution. According to the Constitution, any party to judicial proceedings can raise the question of the constitutionality of any law or decision material for the determination of any matter at issue in the proceedings. In that case, the Court before which such question is raised shall stay further proceedings until determined decision has been made by the Supreme Court. |
| Namen reforme je izboljšati izvrševanje sodnih odločb v javni upravi. V skladu z ustavo sta upravno in vrhovno sodišče pristojni, da ocenita, ali so bile njune odločbe izvršene, in če niso bile, da naložita ustrezne sankcije, kot je predpisano z zakonom. Vendar potrebna pravna podlaga še ni bila sprejeta. Predlog zakona, v katerem so določene sankcije za primer, da telo, organ ali oseba krši obveznost izvrševanja sodnih odločb, čaka na obravnavo v predstavniškem domu. | A reform aims at improving the implementation of court decisions by the public administration. According to the Constitution, the Administrative Court and the Supreme Court are empowered to assess whether effect has been given to their decisions and if not, impose sanctions accordingly, as the law prescribes. However, the necessary legal basis has not been enacted yet. A draft law providing for sanctions in case an organ, authority or person violates the obligation to comply with court decisions is pending before the House of Representatives. |
| Komisar za upravo, ki prispeva k varovanju temeljnih pravic, se je spopadal z nekaterimi izzivi. Komisar za upravo in človekove pravice (varuh človekovih pravic) je nacionalna institucija za človekove pravice, ki ji je zveza GANHRI 63 leta 2015 podelila status B. V poročilu o akreditaciji je pododbor mreže GANHRI za akreditacijo navedel priporočila o imenovanju varuha človekovih pravic, dodelitvi virov in upravljanju proračuna 64 . Zmogljivosti varuha človekovih pravic so bile v zadnjem času okrepljene, za leto 2020 pa je bil zahtevano dodatno osebje 65 . Vendar se je komisar spopadal z izzivi zaradi poskusa generalnega državnega tožilca, da bi preiskal način njegovega izvajanja pooblastil, kar je komisar štel za poseganje v neodvisnost. To stališče je podprlo združenje International Ombudsman Institute (IOI, mednarodno združenje varuhov človekovih pravic) 66 in generalni državni tožilec je nato ustavil postopek. Komisarjevi predlogi ali priporočila niso zavezujoči. Posvetuje se lahko z zadevnim organom in poskuša najti način, da bi organ sprejel komisarjeva stališča in jih upošteval v praksi 67 . | The Commissioner for Administration, which contributes to safeguarding fundamental rights, has faced certain challenges. The Commissioner for Administration and Human Rights (Ombudsman) is the National Human Rights Institution, accredited with B-Status by GANHRI 63 in 2015. In its accreditation report, the GANHRI Sub-Committee on Accreditation made recommendations on the appointment of the Ombudsman, the allocation of resources and the management of the budget 64 . The capacities of the Ombudsman have recently been reinforced and further staff has been requested for 2020 65 . However, it has faced challenges in view of an attempt by the Auditor General to investigate the way it exercises its powers, which the Commissioner considered an interference with its independence. This position was supported by the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) 66 and subsequently, the Attorney General stopped the procedure. The Commissioner’s suggestions or recommendations are not binding. He has the capacity to consult with the authority concerned, in an attempt to find a way for the authority to adopt the Commissioner’s positions and comply with them at a practical level 67 . |
| Prostor civilne družbe na Cipru velja za odprtega 68 . Urad komisarja za prostovoljstvo in nevladne organizacije je bil ustanovljen leta 2013. Njegov cilj je spodbuditi dejavno državljansko udeležbo na lokalni ravni in vlogo organizirane civilne družbe na vseh ravneh za namene priprave vladnih politik. Poleg tega je svet ministrov Republike Ciper odobril tri politične dokumente, ki jih je pripravil komisar, in sicer „The Charter of Active Citizens“ (Listina dejavnih državljanov), „The Organized Civil Society of Cyprus“ (Organizirana civilna družba na Cipru) in „Charter of the Rights and Responsibilities of Volunteers“ (Listina pravic in odgovornosti prostovoljcev). Hiša prostovoljcev nevladnim organizacijam zagotavlja brezplačne pisarne. Vendar se zdi, da se pri registraciji organizacij civilne družbe pojavljajo nekateri pomisleki. Čeprav so bila z novim zakonom, sprejetim leta 2017 69 , pojasnjena pravila o postopku registracije in so ga deležniki na splošno pozdravili 70 , velja zahteva, da morajo imeti organizacije najmanj 20 ustanovnih članov, še naprej za posebno obremenjujočo 71 . | The civil society space in Cyprus is considered to be open 68 . The Office of the Commissioner for Volunteering and NGOs was established in 2013. Its aim is to encourage the active civic participation at local level and to promote the role of organised civil society at all levels for the purposes of drawing up governmental policies. In addition, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cyprus approved three political papers prepared by the Commissioner, ‘The Charter of Active Citizens’, ‘The Organized Civil Society of Cyprus’ and the ‘Charter of the Rights and Responsibilities of Volunteers’. A House of Volunteers provides free offices to NGOs. However, the registration of civil society organisations appears to raise certain concerns. While a new law adopted in 2017 69 has clarified the rules of the registration process and has overall been welcomed by stakeholders 70 , the requirement that organisations must have at least 20 founding members continues to be considered as particularly burdensome 71 . |
| Priloga I: Seznam virov po abecednem vrstnem redu* | Annex I: List of sources in alphabetical order* |
| * Seznam prispevkov, prejetih v okviru posvetovanja za Poročilo o stanju pravne države za leto 2020, je na voljo na (spletišče COM). | * The list of contributions received in the context of the consultation for the 2020 Rule of Law report can be found at (COM website). |
| Agencija za temeljne pravice (2020), Prispevek Agencije za temeljne pravice za posvetovanje z deležniki za Poročilo o stanju pravne države za leto 2020. | Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom (2020), 2020 Media pluralism monitor. https://cmpf.eui.eu/media-pluralism-monitor/mpm-2020/ . |
| Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom (2020), 2020 Media pluralism monitor. https://cmpf.eui.eu/media-pluralism-monitor/mpm-2020/ . | CEPEJ (2018), Study on the functioning of judicial systems in the EU Member States. |
| CEPEJ (2018), Study on the functioning of judicial systems in the EU Member States. | CIVICUS, Monitor tracking civic space: Cyprus. https://monitor.civicus.org/country/cyprus/ . |
| Ciprska vlada (2020), Prispevek Cipra za Poročilo o stanju pravne države za leto 2020. | Council Recommendation on the 2020 National Reform Programme of Cyprus and delivering a Council opinion on the 2020 Stability Programme of Cyprus. |
| CIVICUS, Monitor tracking civic space: Cyprus. https://monitor.civicus.org/country/cyprus/ . | Cypriot Government (2020), Input from Cyprus for the 2020 Rule of Law Report. |
| Cyprus Media Complaints Commission (CMCC), spletišče: http://www.cmcc.org.cy/about_us.html . | Cyprus Media Complaints Commission (CMCC) Website: http://www.cmcc.org.cy/about_us.html . |
| Directorate General European Programmes, Coordination and Development, Europe 2020 Cyprus National Reform Programme. | Directorate-General for Communication (2019), Flash Eurobarometer 482: Businesses' attitudes towards corruption in the EU. |
| Directorate-General for Communication (2019), Flash Eurobarometer 482: Businesses' attitudes towards corruption in the EU. | Directorate-General for Communication (2020), Special Eurobarometer 502: corruption. |
| Directorate-General for Communication (2020), Special Eurobarometer 502: Corruption. | Directorate General European Programmes, Coordination and Development - Europe 2020 Cyprus National Reform Programme. |
| European Centre for Non-Profit Law, A more progressive NGO Law adopted in Cyprus. https://ecnl.org/republic-cyprus-adopted-progressive-ngo-law/ . | European Centre for Non-Profit Law, A more progressive NGO Law adopted in Cyprus. https://ecnl.org/republic-cyprus-adopted-progressive-ngo-law/ . |
| European Commission (2020), Country report Cyprus, SWD (2020) 512 final. | European Commission (2018), Functional review of the courts system of Cyprus: http://www.supremecourt.gov.cy/judicial/sc.nsf/All/4F4B016078A6DA93C22583BD003D9CDB?OpenDocument . |
| European Commission (2019), Creation of Objective Criteria for the recruitment and promotion of Judges in Cyprus. | European Commission (2019), Creation of Objective Criteria for the recruitment and promotion of Judges in Cyprus. |
| European Commission (2018), Functional review of the courts system of Cyprus: http://www.supremecourt.gov.cy/judicial/sc.nsf/All/4F4B016078A6DA93C22583BD003D9CDB?OpenDocument . | European Commission (2020), Country report Cyprus, SWD(2020) 512 final. |
| European Network of Councils for the Judiciary (ENCJ) / Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) Survey among lawyers on the independence of Judges, 2018–2019 – Independence and Accountability of the Judiciary. | European Commission (2019, 2020), the EU Justice Scoreboard. |
| Evropska komisija (2019, 2020), Pregled stanja na področju pravosodja v EU. | European Network of Councils for the Judiciary (ENCJ)/ Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) Survey among lawyers on the independence of Judges, 2018-2019 - Independence and Accountability of the Judiciary. |
| Evropska mreža nacionalnih institucij za človekove pravice (2020), Prispevek Evropske mreže nacionalnih institucij za človekove pravice za posvetovanje z deležniki za Poročilo o stanju pravne države za leto 2020. | European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (2020), Contribution from the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions for the stakeholder consultation for the 2020 Rule of Law Report. |
| GRECO (2018), Fourth evaluation round – Compliance Report on Cyprus on corruption prevention in respect of members of Parliament, judges and prosecutors. | Fundamental Rights Agency (2020), Contribution from the Fundamental Rights Agency for the stakeholder consultation for the 2020 Rule of Law Report. |
| GRECO (2016), Fourth evaluation round – Evaluation Report on Cyprus on corruption prevention in respect of members of Parliament, judges and prosecutors. | GRECO (2016), Fourth evaluation round – Evaluation Report on Cyprus on corruption prevention in respect of members of Parliament, judges and prosecutors. |
| Journalists’ Code of practice: www.cmcc.org.cy/code_practice.html . | GRECO (2018), Fourth evaluation round – Compliance Report on Cyprus on corruption prevention in respect of members of Parliament, judges and prosecutors. |
| OECD (2019), Indicators of Regulatory Policy and Governance – Cyprus: http://www.oecd.org/gov/regulatory-policy/indicators-of-regulatory-policy-and-governance-2019-cyprus.pdf | Journalists’ Code of practice: www.cmcc.org.cy/code_practice.html . |
| Priporočilo Sveta v zvezi z nacionalnim reformnim programom Cipra za leto 2020 in mnenje Sveta o programu stabilnosti Cipra za leto 2020. | OECD (2019), Indicators of Regulatory Policy and Governance – Cyprus: http://www.oecd.org/gov/regulatory-policy/indicators-of-regulatory-policy-and-governance-2019-cyprus.pdf |
| Reporters without Borders (2020), World Press Freedom Index. | Reporters without Borders (2020), World Press Freedom Index. |
| Republic of Cyprus (2020), Reply of the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus regarding the alert with title “pipe bomb attack on Cyprus MC Digital News Media Agency Offices”. | Republic of Cyprus (2020), Reply of the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus regarding the alert with title “pipe bomb attack on Cyprus MC Digital News Media Agency Offices”. |
| Transparency International (2019), Corruption Perceptions Index. | Transparency International (2019), Corruption Perceptions Index. |
| Virtualni obisk Cipra v okviru priprave Poročila o stanju pravne države za leto 2020. | Virtual country visit to Cyprus in the context of the 2020 Rule of Law Report. |
| Priloga II: Obisk države: Ciper | Annex II: Country visit to Cyprus |
| Službe Komisije so se junija 2020 virtualno sestale s/z: | The Commission services held virtual meetings in June 2020 with: |
| ·uradom generalnega državnega tožilca, | ·Attorney General’s Office |
| ·ministrstvom za notranje zadeve, | ·Ministry of Interior |
| ·ministrstvom za pravosodje, | ·Ministry of Justice |
| ·nacionalno policijo, | ·National Police |
| ·uradom za tisk in obveščanje, | ·Press and Information Office |
| ·organom za radio in televizijo in | ·Radio-Television Authority |
| ·vrhovnim sodiščem. | ·Supreme Court |
| * Komisija se je na več horizontalnih srečanjih sestala tudi z naslednjimi organizacijami: | * The Commission also met the following organisations in a number of horizontal meetings: |
| ·Amnesty International, | ·Amnesty International |
| ·Civil Liberties Union for Europe, | ·Civil Liberties Union for Europe |
| ·Civil Society Europe, | ·Civil Society Europe |
| ·Conference of European Churches (Konferenca evropskih Cerkva), | ·Conference of European Churches |
| ·EuroCommerce, | ·EuroCommerce |
| ·European Center for Not-for-Profit Law, | ·European Center for Not-for-Profit Law |
| ·European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (Evropsko središče za svobodo tiska in medijev), | ·European Centre for Press and Media Freedom |
| ·European Civic Forum, | ·European Civic Forum |
| ·Free Press Unlimited, | ·Free Press Unlimited |
| ·Front Line Defenders, | ·Front Line Defenders |
| ·ILGA-Europe, | ·ILGA-Europe |
| ·International Commission of Jurists (Mednarodna komisija pravnikov), | ·International Commission of Jurists |
| ·International Federation for Human Rights (Mednarodna zveza za človekove pravice), | ·International Federation for Human Rights |
| ·International Press Institute (Mednarodni inštitut za tisk), | ·International Press Institute |
| ·Lifelong learning Platform (Platforma za vseživljenjsko učenje), | ·Lifelong learning Platform |
| ·Open Society Justice Initiative/Open Society European Policy Institute, | ·Open Society Justice Initiative/Open Society European Policy Institute |
| ·Reporters without Borders (Novinarji brez meja) in | ·Reporters without Borders |
| ·Transparency International EU. | ·Transparency International EU |
| (1) Za opis strukture pravosodnega sistema glej letno študijo, ki jo je za Evropsko komisijo izvedel CEPEJ. | (1) For a description of the judicial structure, see the Annual study for the European Commission carried out by CEPEJ. |
| (2) Kazensko porotno sodišče je neomejeno pristojno za obravnavo katere koli kazenske zadeve in odločitev o njej na prvi stopnji. | (2) The Assize Court has unlimited jurisdiction to hear and determine at first instance any criminal case. |
| (3) Zakon 131 (I)/2015 o ustanovitvi in delovanju upravnega sodišča. | (3) Law 131 (I)/2015 on the Establishment and Function of the Administrative Court. |
| (4) Zakon 73 (I)/2018 o ustanovitvi in delovanju upravnega sodišča za odločanje o mednarodni zaščiti. | (4) Law 73 (I)/2018 on the Establishment and Function of the Administrative Court for International Protection. |
| (5) Vrhovno sodišče deluje kot pritožbeni organ. Poleg tega deluje tudi kot ustavno sodišče. | (5) The Supreme Court acts as an appellate body. It also acts as a Constitutional Court. |
| (6) Člen 157.2 ciprske ustave določa, da so imenovanje, povišanje, premestitev, odpoklic, razrešitev in disciplinske zadeve sodnih uradnikov izključno v pristojnosti vrhovnega sodnega sveta. Zgoraj navedena ustavna določba je dodatno opredeljena v oddelku 10 zakona št. 33/64 o pravosodju. | (6) Art. 157.2 of the Constitution of Cyprus provides that the appointment, promotion, transfer, termination of appointment, dismissal and disciplinary matters of judicial officers are exclusively within the competence of the Supreme Council of Judicature. The abovementioned constitutional provision is further elaborated in Section 10 of Law No. 33/64 of the Administration of Justice. |
| (7) Funkciji sta ločeni, službi opravlja ločeno osebje. | (7) The two functions are separated and the two services operate with two different stuff. |
| (8) Člen 112 Ustave Cipra. | (8) Constitution of Cyprus, Art. 112. |
| (9) Predstavniški dom je parlament Republike Ciper. | (9) The House of Representatives is the Parliament of the Republic of Cyprus. |
| (10) Predlog zakona o 11. pregledu ustave Republike Ciper. | (10) Bill on the 11th review of the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus. |
| (11) Predlog zakona o pregledu zakonodaje, povezane s pravosodjem, str. 1215. | (11) Bill on the review of legislation related to the administration of justice, p. 1215. |
| (12) Sliki 44 in 46, Pregled stanja na področju pravosodja v EU za leto 2020. Stopnja neodvisnosti sodstva po mnenju anketirancev se razvrsti na naslednji način: zelo nizka (manj kot 30 % anketirancev meni, da je neodvisnost sodstva dokaj dobra ali zelo dobra); nizka (od 30 do 39 %), povprečna (od 40 do 59 %), visoka (od 60 do 75 %), zelo visoka (nad 75 %). Poleg tega ciprski odvetniki v skladu z nedavno raziskavo, izvedeno v 19 državah članicah EU, menijo, da je stopnja neodvisnosti sodnikov zelo nizka (5,5 točke od 10). ENCJ/CCBE,Survey among lawyers on the independence of Judges, 2018–2019 – Independence and Accountability of the Judiciary (slika 7). | (12) Figures 44 and 46, 2020 EU Justice Scoreboard. The level of perceived judicial independence is categorized as follows: very low (below 30% of respondents perceive judicial independence as fairly good and very good); low (between 30-39%), average (between 40-59%), high (between 60-75%), very high (above 75%). Furthermore, according to a recent survey covering 19 EU Member States, the perception of independence of judges by lawyers in Cyprus is very low (5.5 points out of 10). ENCJ/CCBE Survey among lawyers on the independence of Judges, 2018-2019 - Independence and Accountability of the Judiciary (Figure 7). |
| (13) European Commission (2019), Cyprus: Creation of Objective Criteria for the recruitment and promotion of Judges. | (13) European Commission (2019), Cyprus: Creation of Objective Criteria for the recruitment and promotion of Judges. |
| (14) vrhovno sodišče je razpis za oddajo prijav objavilo 1. novembra 2019 na podlagi novih meril. | (14) The Supreme Court published a call for candidatures on 1 November 2019, based on the new criteria. |
| (15) Člen 45 ciprske ustave določa, da je dodatni element v zvezi z neodvisnostjo generalnega državnega tožilca ta, da lahko izvede kazenski pregon zoper predsednika republike zaradi kaznivega dejanja, ki vključuje nepoštenost ali izprijenost, na podlagi tožbe, ki jo vloži generalni državni tožilec. | (15) Art. 45 of the Constitution of Cyprus provides that an additional element as regards the independence of the Attorney General is that the President of the Republic may be prosecuted for an offence involving dishonesty or moral turpitude upon a charge preferred by the Attorney-General. |
| (16) Člen 112 ustave. Generalni državni tožilec ima pooblastila za uvedbo, izvedbo, prevzem in nadaljevanje ali prekinitev katerega koli postopka zaradi kaznivega dejanja, ki jih izvršuje po lastni presoji in v javnem interesu. | (16) Art.112 of the Constitution. The Attorney General has the power, exercisable at his discretion in the public interest, to institute, conduct, take over and continue or discontinue any proceedings for an offence. |
| (17) Pravobranilstvo republike je odgovorno za podajanje pravnega mnenja in svetovanje ministrstvom o morebitnih pravnih vprašanjih. Odgovorno je tudi za pravno preverjanje vladnih predlogov zakonov, preden so predloženi predstavniškemu domu v razpravo in sprejetje. Poleg tega pravobranilstvo zastopa republiko pred sodišči v vseh upravnih in pravdnih postopkih, katerih stranka je Republika. | (17) The Law Office of the Republic is responsible for providing legal opinions and advice to Ministries on legal issues that may arise. It is also responsible for the legal vetting of government Bills, before they are introduced to the House of Representatives for debate and enactment. The Law Office also represents the Republic before the Courts in all administrative and civil law litigation where the Republic is a party. |
| (18) GRECO Fourth Evaluation Round – Evaluation report, str. 39, in 2018 Compliance Report, str. 11. (GrecoRC4(2018)9). | (18) GRECO Fourth Evaluation Round – Evaluation report, p. 39 and 2018 Compliance Report, p. 11. (GrecoRC4(2018)9). |
| (19) Prispevek Cipra za Poročilo o stanju pravne države za leto 2020. | (19) Input from Cyprus for the 2020 Rule of Law Report. |
| (20) Opozoriti je treba tudi, da sedanji statistični podatki o pravosodnem sistemu ne omogočajo sporočanja podatkov v zvezi s časom, potrebnim za izdajo sodne odločbe v civilnih in gospodarskih pravdnih zadevah, za pregled stanja na področju pravosodja. | (20) It is also noted that the current statistical data on the justice system does not allow reporting on data concerning the disposition time in litigious civil and commercial cases in the EU Justice Scoreboard. |
| (21) Slika 27, Pregled stanja na področju pravosodja v EU za leto 2019 in Pregled stanja na področju pravosodja v EU za leto 2020. | (21) Figure 27, 2019 and 2020 EU Justice Scoreboard. |
| (22) Priporočilo Sveta v zvezi z nacionalnim reformnim programom Cipra za leto 2020 in mnenje Sveta o programu stabilnosti Cipra za leto 2020. | (22) Council Recommendation on the 2020 National Reform Programme of Cyprus and delivering a Council opinion on the 2020 Stability Programme of Cyprus. |
| (23) Prispevek Cipra za Poročilo o stanju pravne države za leto 2020. | (23) Input from Cyprus for the 2020 Rule of Law Report. |
| (24) Zakon o ustanovitvi in delovanju šole za sodnike: št. 101(Ι)/2020. | (24) Law on the creation and functioning of a School of Judges: Ν. 101(Ι)/2020. |
| (25) Zakon o spremembi zakonov o sodiščih: št. 102(Ι)/2020). | (25) Law modifying the laws on the Courts: Ν. 102(Ι)/2020). |
| (26) Slike 5, 9, 10 in 12, Pregled stanja na področju pravosodja v EU za leto 2020. | (26) Figures 5, 9, 10 and 12, 2020 EU Justice Scoreboard. |
| (27) Priporočilo Sveta v zvezi z nacionalnim reformnim programom Cipra za leto 2020 in mnenje Sveta o programu stabilnosti Cipra za leto 2020. | (27) Council Recommendation on the 2020 National Reform Programme of Cyprus and delivering a Council opinion on the 2020 Stability Programme of Cyprus. |
| (28) European Commission (2018), Functional review of the courts system of Cyprus. | (28) European Commission (2018), Functional review of the courts system of Cyprus. |
| (29) Prispevek Cipra za Poročilo o stanju pravne države za leto 2020. | (29) Input from Cyprus for the 2020 Rule of Law Report. |
| (30) Predsednik vrhovnega sodišča (kot predsednik) in dva sodnika vrhovnega sodišča, predsednik sodniškega združenja, direktor področja reform in usposabljanja, glavni sodni tajnik, predstavniki ministrstva za finance in ministrstva za pravosodje in javni red ter predsednik ciprske odvetniške zbornice. | (30) The President of the Supreme Court (as President) and two Judges of the Supreme Court, the President of the Judges’ Association, the Director of Reform and Training, the Chief Registrar, representatives of the Ministry of Finance and of the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, and the President of the Cyprus Bar Association. |
| (31) Glej prejšnjo opombo. | (31) See previous note. |
| (32) Zakon št. 73 (I)/2018 o ustanovitvi in delovanju upravnega sodišča za odločanje o mednarodni zaščiti. | (32) Law No. 73 (I)/2018 on the Establishment and Function of the Administrative Court for International Protection. |
| (33) Prispevek Cipra za Poročilo o stanju pravne države za leto 2020. | (33) Input from Cyprus for the 2020 Rule of Law Report. |
| (34) Glej prejšnjo opombo. | (34) See previous note. |
| (35) Transparency International (2019), Corruption Perceptions Index. | (35) Transparency International (2019), Corruption Perceptions Index. |
| (36) Special Eurobarometer 502 (2020). | (36) Special Eurobarometer 502 (2020). |
| (37) Flash Eurobarometer 482 (2019). | (37) Flash Eurobarometer 482 (2019). |
| (38) GRECO, Third Evaluation Round. | (38) GRECO, Third Evaluation Round. |
| (39) Nacionalno protikourpcijsko strategijo je odobril svet ministrov novembra 2017. | (39) The National Anti-Corruption Strategy has been approved by the Council of Ministers in November 2017. |
| (40) Predlog zakona je bil predložen parlamentu v sprejetje marca 2019. | (40) The draft law was submitted for adoption in Parliament in March 2019. |
| (41) Ministrstvo za pravosodje in javni red poleg projekta, vrednega 300 000 EUR, ki ga financira Evropska komisija, upravlja letni nacionalni proračun v višini približno 200 000 EUR za izvajanje nacionalnega horizontalnega protikorupcijskega načrta. | (41) The Ministry of Justice and Public Order manages an annual national budget of approximately EUR 200,000 for the implementation of the National Horizontal Anti-Corruption plan in addition to the Project funded by the European Commission worth EUR 300,000. |
| (42) Prispevek Cipra za Poročilo o stanju pravne države za leto 2020; informacije, prejete ob obisku države. | (42) Input from Cyprus for the 2020 Rule of Law Report; Information received in the context of the country visit. |
| (43) Directorate General European Programmes, Coordination and Development, Europe 2020 Cyprus National Reform Programme. | (43) Directorate General European Programmes, Coordination and Development - Europe 2020 Cyprus National Reform Programme. |
| (44) Glej prejšnjo opombo. | (44) See previous note. |
| (45) Če uradniki po zakonu 50(I)/2004, kakor je bil spremenjen, ne predložijo prijave premoženja, svet naloži globo do največ 5 000 EUR in do 100 EUR za vsak dan, za katerega prijava ni predložena. | (45) In case officers under Law 50(I)/2004, as amended, fail to submit their asset declaration, the Council imposes a fine not exceeding EUR 5.000 and up to EUR 100 for every day of non-compliance. |
| (46) European Commission, Country report Cyprus 2020, SWD (2020) 512 final. | (46) European Commission, Country report Cyprus 2020, SWD(2020) 512 final. |
| (47) Člen 8 zakona o tisku. | (47) Art. 8 of Press Law. |
| (48) Zakon o izdajateljih radijskih in televizijskih programov. | (48) Radio and Television Broadcasters Law. |
| (49) Ciper je med letoma 2019 in 2020 po svetovnem indeksu svobode tiska, ki ga objavlja organizacija Reporters Without Borders (Novinarji brez meja), napredoval za eno mesto in je zdaj na 27. mestu na svetu. https://rsf.org/en/ranking. | (49) Between 2019 and 2020, Cyprus gained one position in the Reporters without Borders World Press Freedom Index, now registering at 27th position worldwide: https://rsf.org/en/ranking. |
| (50) 2020 Media Pluralism Monitor – Report on Cyprus, str. 10. | (50) 2020 Media Pluralism Monitor - Report on Cyprus, p. 10. |
| (51) Cyprus Media Complaints Commission, spletišče: http://www.cmcc.org.cy/about_us.html. | (51) Cyprus Media Complaints Commission website: http://www.cmcc.org.cy/about_us.html. |
| (52) Journalists’ Code of practice: www.cmcc.org.cy/code_practice.html. | (52) Journalists’ Code of practice: www.cmcc.org.cy/code_practice.html. |
| (53) 2020 Media Pluralism Monitor – Report on Cyprus, str. 17. | (53) 2020 Media Pluralism Monitor - Report on Cyprus, p. 17. |
| (54) Členi 16, 18, 19, 20 in 23 zakona. | (54) Articles 16, 18, 19, 20 and 23 thereof. |
| (55) Zakon št. 12(I) iz leta 2014 o spremembi zakona št. 7(I) iz leta 2008 o nezdružljivosti nekaterih uradniških funkcij z nekaterimi poklicnimi in drugimi dejavnostmi. | (55) Law No. 12(I) of 2014 amending the Law No. 7(I) of 2008 on the Professional Incompatibility of certain Officers for certain professional and other activities. |
| (56) Republic of Cyprus (2020), reply of the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus regarding the alert with title “pipe bomb attack on Cyprus MC Digital News Media Agency Offices”. https://rm.coe.int/cyprus-reply-en-pipe-bomb-attack-on-mc-digital-media-agency-offices-12/16809ce95e. | (56) Republic of Cyprus (2020), reply of the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus regarding the alert with title “pipe bomb attack on Cyprus MC Digital News Media Agency Offices”. https://rm.coe.int/cyprus-reply-en-pipe-bomb-attack-on-mc-digital-media-agency-offices-12/16809ce95e. |
| (57) Načrtovana je ustanovitev ustavnega sodišča, ki bo od vrhovnega sodišča prevzelo presojo ustavnosti zakonov (glej oddelek I). Prispevek Cipra za Poročilo o stanju pravne države za leto 2020. | (57) The creation of a Constitutional Court that will take over the constitutionality review of laws from the Supreme Court is planned (see Section I). Input from Cyprus for the 2020 Rule of Law Report. |
| (58) OECD (2019) , Indicators of Regulatory Policy and Governance – Cyprus. | (58) OECD (2019) , Indicators of Regulatory Policy and Governance – Cyprus. |
| (59) Prispevek Cipra za Poročilo o stanju pravne države za leto 2020. | (59) Input from Cyprus for the 2020 Rule of Law Report. |
| (60) OECD (2019) , Indicators of Regulatory Policy and Governance – Cyprus. | (60) OECD (2019) , Indicators of Regulatory Policy and Governance – Cyprus. |
| (61) Izjava predsednika republike po izrednem zasedanju sveta ministrov, 15. marec 2020. „Izredno stanje“, določeno v členu 183 ustave, ni bilo razglašeno. Razglasiti bi ga moral svet ministrov (ki ga vodi predsednik), ki bi moral predlog o razglasitvi predložiti parlamentu, ta pa bi ga lahko sprejel ali zavrnil. | (61) Statement by the President of the Republic following the extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers, 15 March 2020. The “emergency state” provided for by Article 183 of the Constitution was not declared. The “emergency state” provided for by the Constitution would need to be declared by the Council of Ministers (chaired by the President) and submitted to the Parliament, which could accept or decline it. |
| (62) Uredbe veljajo, dokler niso razveljavljene. Omejitve so se začele odpravljati 21. maja. | (62) These decrees remain in force until they are revoked. Restrictions started to be lifted on 21 May. |
| (63) The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (Svetovna zveza nacionalnih institucij za človekove pravice). | (63) The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions. |
| (64) | (64) |
| Redni splošni pregled Združenih narodov (2019) – Ciper je sprejel sedem priporočil, ki jih je prejel v zvezi z zagotavljanjem nacionalne institucije za človekove pravice, skladne s Pariškimi načeli. | United Nations UPR (2019) – Cyprus accepted seven recommendations received on ensuring a Paris Principles compliant NHRI. |
| (65) Prispevek European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (Evropska mreža nacionalnih institucij za človekove pravice) za Poročilo o stanju pravne države za leto 2020, str. 58. | (65) Contribution from the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions for the 2020 Rule of Law Report, p. 58. |
| (66) Združenje IOI je menilo, da stališče generalnega državnega tožilca ni bilo združljivo z načeli Beneške komisije o zaščiti in spodbujanju institucije varuha človekovih pravic. | (66) The IOI considered that the Auditor Generals’ stance was incompatible with the Venice Commission Principles on the Protection and Promotion of the Ombudsman Institution. |
| (67) Prispevek Cipra za Poročilo o stanju pravne države za leto 2020, str. 42. | (67) Input from Cyprus for the 2020 Rule of Law Report, p. 42. |
| (68) Ocena, ki jo je izdelala organizacija CIVICUS; ocene so razvrščene v pet kategorij: odprta, omejena, ovirana, zatrta in zaprta. | (68) Rating by CIVICUS; ratings are on a five-category scale defined as: open, narrowed, obstructed, repressed and closed. |
| (69) Zakon o združenjih in fundacijah ter drugih povezanih zadevah. Prispevek Cipra za Poročilo o stanju pravne države za leto 2020, str. 47. | (69) Law on Associations and Foundations and other Related Matters. Input from Cyprus for the 2020 Rule of Law Report, p. 47. |
| (70) European Centre for Non-Profit Law, A more progressive NGO Law adopted in Cyprus. | (70) European Centre for Non-Profit Law, A more progressive NGO Law adopted in Cyprus. |
| (71) Fundamental Rights Agency, Standing and operational space of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in contributing to respecting and promoting fundamental rights in EU Member States, Cyprus 2017, str. 4. | (71) Fundamental Rights Agency, Standing and operational space of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in contributing to respecting and promoting fundamental rights in EU Member States, Cyprus 2017, p. 4. |