Sir,
The recent articles by Jacqueline Theodoulou regarding Hannah and her mother Maria will astound all your readers, both those in Cyprus and abroad, and are a terrible indictment on those who administer justice on the island, in particular the Justice Department and the Attorney-general, Mr Petros Clerides.
Paedophilia is unacceptable in all the world, and it is the duty of all those connected with the administration of the law to ensure that that the most vulnerable – young children – are protected against the evil ambitions of these monsters. It is patently obvious that the Cyprus Justice Department, the Attorney-general and those connected have totally failed Hannah and her mother. Indeed, the government of Cyprus must also accept its share of the responsibility.
The fact that Hannah’s mother, Maria, is being persecuted for refusing to force the child, against the child’s wishes, to see her father – her alleged abuser – is the final display of the total lack of understanding of the Justice Department. If, as is stated, Maria should be imprisoned for Hannah’s refusal to see her father, what will the outcome be? Will they place Hannah into the care of a man facing charges of her sexual abuse?
Pending the outcome of his trial, the father should be banned from seeing her and should certainly be banned from driving vulnerable school children around in his coach. I am sure of one thing, the children of government officials and law officers would never put their children into the care of a suspected paedophile.
This case has highlighted the incompetence of the Attorney-general and his department and if he has any honour he should offer his resignation from post. If he doesn’t, he should be dismissed together with members of his department for the dereliction of their duty – that is, to protect the innocent young children of Cyprus.
Finally, how can Cyprus criticise other countries over human rights when it allows situations like this to happen in its own backyard.
Alun Priday
Sir,
I have followed the story of Hannah (covered by the Sunday Mail on September 30 and again on October 21) with increasing incredulity. It beggars belief that a country that considers itself European should have a legal system that treats such a serious matter as the suspected sexual abuse of a child in this cavalier fashion. And where is the outcry from other parents who must surely be concerned for their own children?
One further thought – how long will this story take to electronically travel around the world with potentially serious consequences for tourism in Cyprus? With the Madeleine McCann case still in the news, British parents will certainly be aware of the dangers and make the choice.
Christine Smith
Paphos
