Cyprus-Forum.com

[CBBB]

Published on April 3, 2011

POLICE yesterday arrested four members of far-right group ELAM in connection with unlawful assembly, conspiracy to commit misdemeanour and public insults.

They were to be charged and released, police said. The four aged, 26, 33, 38 and 45 were allegedly among the 30 ELAM supporters shouting anti-Christofias slogans outside the Imprisoned Graves museum during the President’s visit there on Friday to mark the anniversary of the EOKA struggle.

Government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou yesterday condemned “all of the unacceptable things” that ELAM member did during their protest.

Stefanou also wondered whether any citizen of the Republic could “tolerate a shower of abuse on an institution such as that of the President of the Republic.

AKEL secretary general Andros Kyprianou also condemned ELAM, saying that the group’s actions lead to racism. “Everyone needs to understand that the way in which they operate prompts fascist behaviour, which caused great damage to our country in 1974,” he added.

If they are not “dealt with today”, the same mistakes would be made again, he said.

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/how-c ... t/20110403

Much as I despise these ignorant thugs and their views, I disagree entirely with the Government deciding that they are not allowed to express them.

The Supreme Soviet of Cyprus has obviously decided that it is time to crackdown on all and any criticism, be that from a bunch of racists idiots, or from renowned international institutions (World Bank, IMF, etc.) on the state of the economy.

I think we should ask the UN to send in International observers for the upcoming elections to the House of Representatives, sorry I mean the Supreme Soviet, to ensure a proper democratic process.

[Paphitis]

I too don't agree with any of ELAM's policies or views and think that this organization can even be very damaging. They are certainly racist. I have no time for them at all.

However, even though most of us disagree with ELAM in almost every respect, doesn't mean that they should be denied their basic rights for free speech or to demonstrate, even against the President of the RoC, provided their demonstration does not harm others, or damage public property.

In Australia, not long ago, someone threw rotten eggs at the Prime Minister. Security staff jumped on the individual, who was then evicted from the premises. No charges even though you can argue that an assault took place!

It seems that Christofias needs to come down a peg or 2.

[Paphitis]

Another little gripe I have is the fact that Christofias sent his Foreign Affairs Minister to Syria, after they had killed some 47 Syrian citizens protesting against Assad's 40+ years of "emergency rule".

I wonder if Christofias is still willing to call Assad as his brother. I have no problem in calling the Syrian people as our Cypriot brothers. In fact I wish my tormented brothers in Syria a quick and peaceful transition to democracy, but Assad can only be likened to a Turk with Turkish standards in democracy and human rights. He is no brother of mine!

We are watching Christofias, and Cypriots are not stupid!!!

[supporttheunderdog]

I agree entirely with the above first two comments:

In that respect in a free and democratic society no politician should automatically expect respect, let alone simply because he is holder of high office: as Lord Acton wrote

I cannot accept your canon that we are to judge Pope and King unlike other men with a favourable presumption that they did no wrong. If there is any presumption, it is the other way, against the holders of power, increasing as the power increases. Historic responsibility has to make up for the want of legal responsibility. All power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority: still more when you superadd the tendency or certainty of corruption by full authority. There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it.

I am not suggsting the President is corrupt, as there is only a tendancy to corruption, not a certainty, and he does not hold absolute power, however the first corruption is probably a risk of moral corruption rather than financial, should anyone believe that because of the office they hold they are immune from criticism.

[insan]

POLICE yesterday arrested four members of far-right group ELAM in connection with unlawful assembly, conspiracy to commit misdemeanour and public insults.

It's not connected with freedom of speech and freedom of expression it seems...

[repulsewarrior]

indeed it is,

no Cypriot has to suffer abuse, this is the Law underwhich they were arrested.

[CBBB]

indeed it is,

no Cypriot has to suffer abuse, this is the Law underwhich they were arrested.

Then presumably Commissar Christophias is only protected from prosecution due to his office, as he accuses everyone else of being traitors.

[Paphitis]

POLICE yesterday arrested four members of far-right group ELAM in connection with unlawful assembly, conspiracy to commit misdemeanour and public insults.

It's not connected with freedom of speech and freedom of expression it seems...

Groups such as ELAM, or the BNP if you prefer, are kind of like Democracy health checks. They have a right to exist, demonstrate, and abuse the President if they so desire. The President, being a public figure needs to be mature enough to accept opposition even from extreme groups and shrug them off. What the President can't do is arrest members of such groups just merely because they oppose his office. Likewise, these groups do not have the right to hurt others or damage public property and if they do this, then they should be arrested.

It sounds to me that those ELAM members arrested can be classified as Political Detainees and this is a big blight on the RoC and the President.