By Elisavet Georgiou
Cyprus has maintained its Tier 1 ranking in the U.S. Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, a recognition of the country’s sustained and organized efforts to combat human trafficking. But recent data show the issue remains complex and multifaceted. A sharp rise in reports in 2023, fluctuations in the number of identified victims, and the continued appearance of varied forms of exploitation paint a picture of a constantly shifting reality. Early figures for 2025 point to an upward trend compared with 2024, raising concern among authorities. Additional worries stem from conditions in the island’s occupied north, which the TIP Report describes as a separate reality with no investigations, prosecutions, or convictions.
Reports filed
Authorities recorded a dramatic jump in reports in 2023, with 542 incidents—triple the number reported in 2021. Experts attribute the increase either to greater public awareness and expanded access to reporting channels or to a genuine rise in criminal activity. While reports decreased afterward, they remain well above previous years’ levels.
Despite the high volume of reports and investigations, convictions remain low, between four and seven annually.
Identified victims (by type of exploitation)
The number of recognized victims peaked in 2023, likely due to heightened law-enforcement activity and the surge in reporting. Sexual exploitation remains the most common form, while labor exploitation rose in 2023 and again in 2025. The year-to-year swings suggest a system that responds but with inconsistent effectiveness.
Cases
Although reports and victim identifications fluctuate, the number of cases opened each year remains strikingly stable, at 10 to 13. Sexual exploitation dominates these cases, while labor-related cases rise in certain years. The fact that case numbers do not increase proportionally to reports has raised questions about how many incidents progress to full investigation. Police officials note that reports can be filed by anyone and often cannot be substantiated as trafficking.
Convictions
Convictions remain consistently low despite the volume of reports, only four to seven each year. A peak of seven convictions in 2024 did not continue into 2025, with numbers dropping again in the first half of the year.
Cyprus in Tier 1: Progress and ongoing challenges
Cyprus secured its Tier 1 status for the fourth consecutive year in the 2025 TIP Report. The annual report, issued by the U.S. State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, is a key mechanism for assessing governments’ anti-trafficking efforts worldwide.
The report notes that the Republic of Cyprus strengthened its commitment to prevention, prosecution, and victim protection, and adopted policies aligned with high international standards.
More prosecutions and convictions
Police launched nine new investigations involving 20 suspects, and courts convicted seven traffickers, three for sexual exploitation and four for labor exploitation. For the first time, no suspended sentences were issued. Courts also awarded compensation to victims, a notable development in Cyprus’ legal framework.
Chief Inspector Eleni Michail, head of the Anti-Trafficking Office, said: “It is certainly a source of satisfaction for the Police and all other involved governmental and non-governmental actors to be ranked Tier 1 for the fourth consecutive year.”
Improved victim support and expanded infrastructure
The government doubled funding for shelters to €450,000 and streamlined access to social-benefit programs.
Michail said the Police have taken “very important steps,” including the 1497 hotline, a reporting link on the Police website, and a redesigned interview space for victims, “...a friendly and comfortable environment that does not resemble police offices.”
Legislation and training
Cyprus’ legal framework remains strong, with penalties of up to 25 years for adult offenders and life sentences for crimes against minors. Training for investigators, police officers, and other professionals expanded through the Police Academy, the Attorney General’s Academy, and international partnerships.
“Training has increased for members of the Anti-Trafficking Office and other relevant services such as Social Welfare, clinical psychologists, and Labor Office inspectors,” Michail said. “We work with international and European institutions, applying and exchanging best practices.”
Persistent weaknesses
The TIP Report also highlights shortcomings. Victim identification fell significantly, 11 victims in 2024 compared with 31 in 2023, and delays were noted in social-welfare services. The report says standardized identification procedures are not always followed, especially for asylum seekers.
It also notes some victims continue to be detained for offenses committed as a direct result of their exploitation, an issue that requires further improvement.
A different reality in the occupied north
In contrast with government-controlled areas, the TIP Report states that the occupied north saw no investigations, prosecutions, or convictions for human trafficking in 2024. Conditions in nightclubs remain a serious concern, and the total absence of shelters, legal assistance, or an official strategy highlights deep institutional gaps.
Cyprus’ Tier 1 ranking is a significant achievement and reflects an established, comprehensive anti-trafficking policy. But the fight against human trafficking remains demanding and ongoing.
The report, and Michail herself, stress that progress cannot be taken for granted. “Our goal,” she said, “is to create societies that respect and value human dignity.”
Hotline 1497 takes calls on human trafficking reports and information.
