The most significant problem in Cyprus during 2016 remained trafficking in persons for sexual exploitation and labor; police abuse and their degrading treatment of persons in custody and asylum seekers; and violence against women, including spousal abuse, said the State Department`s Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2016 in Cyprus.

The report also said that other problems during the year included: prison overcrowding; lack of separation of pretrial detainees from convicted criminals; prolonged detention of asylum seekers and irregular migrants in prison-like conditions; deportation of rejected asylum seekers before they had an opportunity to appeal their asylum decision; lack of full access to and administration of some religious sites; government corruption; incidents of violence against children; instances of discrimination and violence against members of minority ethnic and national groups; and societal discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons.

It also noted that the government investigated and prosecuted corruption and officials who committed violations.

The report indicated that the Republic of Cyprus is a constitutional republic and multiparty presidential democracy.

Furthermore, the report maintained a section under “Cyprus – the Area Administered by Turkish Cypriots” regarding the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus and notes that since 1974 the southern part of Cyprus has been under the control of the government of the Republic of Cyprus, while the northern part, administered by Turkish Cypriots, proclaimed itself the “turkish republic of northern Cyprus” in 1983. The United States does not recognize the “trnc,” nor does any country other than Turkey, it said, and added that a substantial number of Turkish troops remained on the island.

The most significant problems reported in the north nduring the year included domestic violence against women, limited access to some places of worship, and trafficking in persons.

Other reported problems included overcrowding in prisons and poor prison conditions; lack of separation of incarcerated adults and juveniles; societal discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons; absence of a system to handle asylum applications or protect the rights of asylum seekers; vandalism and removal of religious icons from vacant places of worship, including some sites that were damaged, close to collapse, or had been converted to other uses; corruption and cronyism in the executive and legislative branches; restrictions on freedom of speech and expression; and failure of authorities to introduce and enforce adequate labor health and safety standards.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island`s northern third.