Increase in complaints to the Commissioner for Children's Rights in Cyprus

During a presentation of the 2027 annual budget to the Parliamentary Committee on Finance, Christina Chatzisotiriou, head of the Office of the Commissioner for the Protection of Children's Rights, reported a significant increase in complaints. In 2026, the office recorded a 9% rise in cases compared to previous years, reflecting a growing burden on the institution's resources.

Data presented shows that the office received 582 reports in 2023, 585 in 2024, 784 in 2025, and 779 in 2026. Chatzisotiriou noted that some case files remain under investigation for years, in some instances persisting until the child reaches adulthood. To highlight the severity of the caseload, she compared the figures to Greece, a much larger country, which receives an average of 1,000 reports annually. She argued that these statistics necessitate increased funding and support to effectively manage the office's responsibilities.

The increasing workload has led the Commissioner to push for better resources to address these lingering investigations and support child welfare in Cyprus more effectively.