Will the government again remain silent about the “spy” van?
Statement by AKEL Political Bureau member Eleni Mavrou
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 17th November 2019, Nicosia
The fact that for a long period of time every one of us could have been a victim of “Big Brother” that operated undisturbed is alarming. Even more alarming is the fact that the state authorities began to investigate the matter only after reports in the press and AKEL’s persistence on the need for answers to be given.
A “spy van”, with sophisticated surveillance and spy systems, operates and is active in Cyprus for more than a year and no one has provided answers to the following key questions:
- Is the activity of this specific company lawful and approved and, if so, in accordance with what legislation?
- How was the clearance by customs of these machines permitted? Are the press reports that the equipment was presented as meteorological equipment confirmed?
- Against whom has its operation been so far?
- To how many and what other companies with similar activities has a license been granted?
The protection of privacy is enshrined both in the Cyprus Constitution and in numerous international conventions. Just a few days ago it was announced that a company whose surveillance programs are estimated to have violated the privacy of tens of millions of people in Britain and Europe it is being brought before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
In Cyprus, the government ruling forces are once again keeping silent. Citizens however are demanding answers.
