Speech by the General Secretary of the C.C of AKEL A.Kyprianou at the mass event against interwoven interests and corruption
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 7th November 2020, Nicosia
I saw MP’s from the ruling DISY party commenting on social media about our event today. They are wondering why AKEL does not feel ashamed of organizing an event against corruption and interwoven interests.
We reply in a clear manner:
Those who live at the expense of the people are the ones who should feel ashamed.
Those who took office to get rich instead of serving the people are the ones who should feel ashamed.
Those who are dependent on established interests, big businessmen and the owners of TV channels are the ones who should feel ashamed.
Those who do not dare make a move unless they have their approval are the ones who should feel ashamed…
Those who are trying in a thousand ways to sweep interwoven interests and corruption under the carpet are the ones who should feel ashamed, as well as all those who are trying to cover them up.
AKEL does not cover anyone. AKEL reveals, while others are trying to cover up situations and scandals.
A video was released that shamed the whole of Cyprus. It is enough to see everyone’s reaction to be able to understand the difference in how we approach corruption. AKEL reacted immediately by taking the action it owed to its people and society.
Ruling DISY party initially said that it wouldn’t pay attention to it. It then said that it hopes that AKEL would stop making a fuss about the ‘golden’ passports scheme. The attempt to distract the people subsequently began. Not a word was said about the grave responsibilities of the Government and DISY for the golden passports scandal. Not even a word was said about what is happening around us.
At the same time, the Government, also attempting to direct things away from the issue, is focusing on the AKEL MP, forgetting the Speaker of the House of Representatives. We insist that everything, literally everything, must be investigated and responsibilities must be assigned wherever there are, if any.
But what about the much more important issues that affect the President of the Republic himself and not N. Anastasiades the lawyer?
Although the government ruling forces will not reply to us again, we insist on posing the following questions:
In what other European country does the President’s family business record profits from applications submitted and approved by the Council of Ministers chaired by the President?
In what other European country is the President gifted with luxury travel on the private jet of a foreign tycoon whose extended family has been granted dozens of passports from the Government?
In what other country have the bank deposits of everyone else been subject to a haircut, but not of the President’s family circle?
In what other country do associates of the President’s law firm go to a meeting at the Presidential Palace under different names for the selling off of the state-owned airlines?
In what other country are rich tycoons granted citizenship/passports after the businesses of the President’s children build them constructions and subsequently become sponsors of events organised by the ruling DISY party?
In what other European country is this happening while the President declares without any difficulty that he is innocent and impeccable as a babe in the woods?
The Anastasiades-DISY Government has unfortunately disgraced Cyprus in Europe and throughout the whole world. Instead of realizing the magnitude of their responsibility, they get angry and are trying to silence the voice of AKEL.
They should forget all thoughts that AKEL can be silenced or blackmailed. AKEL since 2016 has denounced both the abuse of the government’s ‘investment for citizenship’ program, as well as the corruption that is growing in our country and it shall continue to do so. AKEL has no hidden commitments, nor is it afraid of the truth. That is precisely why they cannot threaten or blackmail it.
The biggest truth is that during the period of the Anastasiades-DISY administration, corruption has reached unprecedented levels in our country. Scandals are being revealed one after the other, interwoven interests have grown and corruption is becoming a way of life.
The system in which we live in promotes the pursuit of profit. The way the Anastasiades-DISY Government exercises power glorifies easy and ‘get-quick’ enrichment by any means. Capitalism worships profit and dehumanizes people.
AKEL cannot compromise with this dictate. We insist on fighting corruption and interwoven interests, addressing each and everyone’s conscience. But we are also tested every day, to prove who we are and whose side we are on. We must win this challenge.
We are a Party whose people are subject to the influences of the system in which they live in. That’s precisely where it is tested. As soon as the Party finds such phenomena in his own ranks, it is called up to reaffirm itself, to take corrective and structural measures.
This is what we do and will continue to do, to honor the trust of those we serve: the working people, the farmers and the people who work day and night to make ends meet. We must vindicate this trust every day.
At the same time, with the submission of specific proposals, we are trying to strengthen the legislative and institutional framework. We list some of our proposals:
• The legislative regulation of the economic activities of non-governmental organizations, aiming at ensuring transparency and scrutiny over their funding.
• Modernization of the institutional and legislative framework that governs the offers and purchases of armaments/weapons programs, always taking into account the aspect of national security, as well as the confidentiality that governs the field of Defence.
• Legislative regulation for stricter penalties, so that the consequences of any crime against the State should act as a deterrent to their commission.
• Improve citizen’s accessibility to Authorities, especially on matters of securing public documents, service and transparency in relation to decisions that affect him.
• Implementation of effective internal control mechanisms in each Ministry, Semi-Governmental Organization or public authority. Establishment of corresponding citizen’s complaints services.
• Modernization of the Civil Service with the aim of enhancing transparency in decision-making and the introduction of more objective, measurable criteria in the procedure of recruitment and the assessment of public employees.
• Institutional regulation of limiting terms of office in all state positions and promotion of interchangeability in key positions of the Public Service.
• Possibility of exercising public control over all bids that are awarded by the public and semi-public sector.
• Expanding the list of audited persons for the purpose of submitting an asset and fund-source declaration and its modernization and upgrading.
• Make the audited accounts of the mass media known to the public with the simultaneous briefing of citizens about who the real owners of the mass media are, including subsidiaries and affiliates.
• Full regulation of the financial obligations of the Church of Cyprus and transparency in its business relationship with the state.
• Complete separation of the state from the Church.
• Compulsory confiscation of the property of former and current state and public officials, who have been convicted of tax evasion, bribery and embezzlement.
• Modernization, but also substantive implementation of the legislation concerning the incompatibility and conflict of interests of state and civil officials.
We do not therefore tolerate corruption. At the same time as the few get rich on the backs of our people and the many are struggling by every means to get through the month, the establishment make billions in profits. Interwoven interests are spreading their tentacles to maximise their profits, while working people’s belts are being tightened.
We don’t keep silent in the face of a government that has turned corruption into a science and engages in practices reminiscent of underdeveloped states. In the face of so many scandals, unprecedented interwoven interests, the arrogance and insensitivity of the government ruling forces who promote their own interests. In the face of a system that nurtures the young generation with the mania of easy and ‘get-rich-quick’ profiteering, that erodes consciences.
We react.
With AKEL at the forefront.
In a clear, honest and sincere way.
To break the abscess of corruption.
For the Cyprus we want.
For the thousands who are struggling tirelessly every day to make a living.
For the young generation that no longer tolerates the rot and the mockery.
For our country’s dignity.