The House Environment Committee’s decision to discuss the activities of specific environmental organisations and activists, as well as possible measures against them, has sparked strong reactions.
AKEL MP Marina Nikolaou and former Volt MP Alexandra Attalidou described the debate as an attempt to target environmental activism, arguing that efforts should instead focus on combating poaching. DIKO parliamentary spokesman Panicos Leonidou defended the discussion, saying concerns had been raised that warranted examination.
Concerns over targeting environmental activists
The issue, which is due to be discussed on Wednesday, is titled: “The impact of the activities of specific activist organisations and activists operating in the environmental sector and the assessment of the need to take measures to address the phenomenon.”
It was tabled at the initiative of ELAM MPs, with the consent of DIKO and DISY.
Speaking on the Politis 107.6 and 97.6 programme Morning Review with Katerina Eliadi, AKEL MP and House Environment Committee member Marina Nikolaou strongly opposed the debate.
Nikolaou said ELAM had initially attempted to table the issue using even stronger language. According to her, the original title referred to the “uncontrolled activities of so-called activists” and called for immediate measures.
Following AKEL’s objections, the issue was not registered at the time and was later reintroduced under a different title.
Nikolaou argued that the committee should focus on combating poaching rather than scrutinising those who expose environmental offences.
She also warned that targeting activism could set a dangerous precedent, as organisations and groups working on social issues, rights and freedoms could face similar scrutiny in the future.
AKEL MPs will attend Wednesday’s meeting, she said, stressing that civil society and activism fall within constitutionally protected rights. However, she added that any activists or organisations engaging in unlawful or extreme conduct should be reported to the competent authorities.
Calls for greater scrutiny of poaching
Former Volt MP Alexandra Attalidou expressed similar concerns, linking the planned discussion to poaching.
Citing a public statement by one of the MPs who tabled the issue, Attalidou said the debate concerned the alleged “harassment of hunters” and argued that the underlying issue was illegal hunting.
She said the committee should examine the enforcement of environmental legislation and the offences themselves, rather than the activities of those seeking to expose them.
Environmental organisations play an important role in defending the public interest and protecting wildlife, Attalidou said.
Nikolaou and Attalidou agreed that any organisation or activist breaking the law should be reported to the authorities, rather than environmental groups being treated collectively with suspicion.
Attalidou said that if evidence existed against organisations suspected of wrongdoing, it should be submitted to the police.
She also referred to reported threats, assaults and bomb attacks against activists, claiming that Cypriot environmental campaigners had faced intimidation by criminal elements.
Attalidou further alleged that illegal trade linked to poaching was worth millions and called for any potential conflicts of interest surrounding the issue to be investigated.
She strongly criticised DIKO and DISY for consenting to the registration of the matter and called on the House president to intervene to protect citizens who, she said, risk their lives to defend the enforcement of the law.
DIKO backs committee discussion
DIKO parliamentary spokesman Panicos Leonidou defended the committee’s right to hold the discussion, saying the issue had previously attracted attention from both the public and the media.
“Not all these organisations are the same,” he said, adding that problems had been identified, although he did not name any specific organisations.
Leonidou said the purpose was not to defend the registration of the issue but to allow the committee to be informed and hear all sides.
He called for the public to await Wednesday’s meeting, during which further information about the organisations’ activities is expected to be presented.
