CAT/C/CYP/CO/5
appealing rejected refugee status applications had led to the suspension of subsidiary
protection, and that there was a high number of returns during the period under review,
including to countries where torture and ill-treatment frequently occur (arts. 2, 3, 11 and 13).
23.
The State party should:
(a)
Take measures to ensure that no person is returned to a country where
he or she might face the risk of torture or ill-treatment;
(b)
Ensure that beneficiaries of subsidiary protection at risk of losing this
status are able to have their cases re-examined before the subsidiary protection ceases
by providing for a clear and effective appeals procedure, including review by an
independent second-instance body and notification of individuals of their procedural
rights in this respect;
(c)
Compile data on the number of subsidiary protections granted per year,
the number of subsidiary protections discontinued or ceased, the number of cases reexamined or appealed owing to the risk of serious damage, and the number of
individuals who, as a result of re-examination or appeal, were granted continuation of
their protection status;
(d)
Confirm whether in the implementation of the current laws a person
whose asylum application is rejected but who is granted subsidiary protection and
then appeals the decision on refugee status would risk being deported while the appeal
is pending.
Domestic violence
24.
While welcoming the legislative and other measures the State party has taken to
address domestic violence (see paras. 5 (b) and (c) and 6 (b) above), in particular the
criminalization of all forms of domestic violence, the Committee is concerned at reports of
actions or omissions by State agencies or other entities that engage the responsibility of the
State party under the Convention. In particular, the Committee is concerned that the number
of investigations, prosecutions and convictions remains low. It is also concerned by the lack
of data on redress and compensation provided to victims of domestic violence. Similarly,
while welcoming efforts to increase the collection of data on domestic violence, the
Committee remains concerned about the lack of statistical data on violence against women,
disaggregated by sex, age, nationality and the relationship between the victim and the
perpetrator, as well as on investigations, prosecutions, convictions, sentences imposed on
perpetrators and reparations provided to victims. The Committee welcomes the information
provided by the State party that legislation to criminalize harassment and stalking is in the
final stages of legal vetting (arts. 2, 4, 6, 12 and 16).
25.
The State party should:
(a)
Update the Committee about the current state of legal vetting of
legislation to criminalize harassment and stalking, and expedite the adoption of the
bill to criminalize domestic violence;
(b)
Enforce the existing legal infrastructure to ensure that reports of
violence against women, including domestic violence, are duly investigated, that
perpetrators are prosecuted and adequately punished and that victims have access to
appropriate redress, including compensation and other reparations;
(c)
Raise awareness among, and train, law enforcement personnel, social
welfare officials, prosecutors and judges on the investigation, prosecution and
sanctioning of cases of domestic violence and on creating appropriate conditions for
victims to report such cases to the authorities;
(d) Ensure that victims of domestic violence benefit from effective protection,
including the right to a residence permit, and have access to medical and legal aid,
psychosocial counselling and social support schemes;
6