Newsroom
It’s something most of us see on a regular basis: people begging at traffic lights, outside supermarkets, or near busy squares. But what many don’t realize is that behind some of these outstretched hands, there may be something much darker going on.
According to police figures shared at the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee this week, 59 cases of begging were investigated across Cyprus between 2022 and 2025. And while not all involve criminal activity, officials warned that many of these cases show signs of trafficking and organized exploitation, some even involving minors.
“We’re not just talking about people in poverty,” said Eleni Michael, a senior officer from the Office for Combating Trafficking in Persons. “In several cases, we’ve found people being forced to beg, manipulated, and controlled by organized rings that exploit their vulnerability.”
Michael confirmed that three such cases have reached court in recent years; two led to convictions, while one, which involved children, collapsed when the suspects fled Cyprus.
MPs in the committee were quick to raise the alarm. “Begging is a form of trafficking,” said DISY MP Rita Superman, slamming what she called the inability of the authorities to properly investigate or recognize victims. She also highlighted how poorly the law is being enforced; although begging-related trafficking can carry a maximum 15-year sentence, the longest sentence handed down so far has been just two years.
The problem isn’t just enforcement; it’s also the law itself. Much of the current legislation is riddled with outdated language, referring to people as “vagrants” or “slothful,” a tone more fitting for a Dickens novel than modern law.
A representative from the Office of the Legislative Commissioner warned that parts of the law might even violate human rights, noting that in some cases of extreme poverty, begging isn’t a crime, it’s a matter of dignity.
All agreed the laws need urgent updating, with MPs pledging to work with the Legislative Commissioner to modernize the language and approach, making sure it protects victims rather than punishes them.
One of the most worrying aspects is the involvement of children. According to AKEL MP Irini Charalambidou, one recent case involved five children being forced to beg, a case now in the hands of the Welfare Office.
Charalambidou called for public awareness campaigns, encouraging people to give food or support services, not money, when approached by a child in need. “We must educate the public to be part of the solution, not fuel the problem,” she said.
There’s a clear call across the board for stricter penalties, better coordination, and proactive investigations. Independent MP Alexandra Attalidou urged that all cases of begging should automatically trigger trafficking investigations, without waiting for public complaints or random tips.
Attalidou also pointed out a serious lack of communication between the police, the Anti-Trafficking Bureau, and welfare agencies. “We have reports of trafficking rings coming from abroad, but the left hand doesn’t know what the right is doing,” she said.
And while the Fundraising Committee reminded people that many legitimate fundraisers are out there, Yiannakis Hadjidimitriou from the committee admitted that requests for police help in cracking down on illegal fundraisers often go unanswered.
One idea floated was for the committee to publish all approved fundraisers online so the public can quickly check if someone asking for money is legitimate.
