The House of Representatives announces the launch of the process to fill a vacancy for a member in respect of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) of the Council of Europe for the following term of office of the Cypriot member of the Committee, starting in December 2023. All persons interested in said position are kindly requested to send their curriculum vitae in English to the Secretary General of the House of Representatives, by 14:30 on Friday, the 30th of December, 2022.  Members of the CPT are elected by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe from a list of three candidates. The list is drawn up following personal interviews, which are conducted by the Cyprus Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and is subsequently communicated by the Assembly to the Committee of Ministers. 

In conformity with Article 4 of the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, members of the CPT shall be chosen from among persons of a high moral character, known for their competence in the field of human rights or having professional experience in the areas covered by the Convention. The Article further provides that members shall serve in their individual capacity, shall be independent and impartial and shall be available to serve the Committee effectively. Also, a provision in the same Article precludes the election to the Committee of two members of the same nationality. 

Upon the expiration of the Member’s term of office in December 2027, Article 5 of the Convention provides, inter alia, that the outgoing members of the Committee may be re-elected twice for a four-year term.

Applicants should have very good knowledge of English and / or French and be willing and able to make themselves available for fact - finding missions, lasting several days, in all parts of Europe, at regular intervals. 

More information regarding the said position, including a model CV, which candidates must complete and send to the House of Representatives, can be found on the House website (http://www.parliament.cy). Interested candidates can also contact the International Relations Service of the House of Representatives: telephone 22407321/310 or e-mail ([email protected]). They may also visit the CPT website https://www.coe.int/en/web/cpt.