Two bills concerning access rights for people with guide dogs and changes to motor insurance rules affecting elderly drivers will be submitted to the House plenary on February 5 and February 12 respectively, following approval by the House Human Rights Committee.
Committee chair Irene Charalambides said both proposals were discussed article by article on Friday and that committee members had indicated they would vote in favour of both bills during the upcoming plenary sessions. She described both initiatives as particularly important.
The first proposal, submitted by MP Christos Senekis, sets out the right of access for people accompanied by guide or assistance dogs to public buildings and public transport.
The second bill, submitted by MP Alexandra Attalidou, concerns an amendment to the law on third-party motor insurance. Charalambides said the proposal seeks to address a “huge problem” faced by many citizens who are legally required to hold third-party insurance but, due to their age, face restrictions and sharp increases in premiums.
“It was time for a specific framework to be put in place so that there is no abuse at any level and by anyone against them,” she said.
Charalambides added: “Personally, I will support and vote for both proposals and I hope there will be unanimous approval by the entire House.”
She also said the committee will begin discussions on a separate bill by MP Charalambos Theopemptou, which aims to establish a broader framework with specific provisions regarding assistance dogs. Responding to questions, she clarified that the two guide dog proposals do not conflict, noting that the Senekis bill enables prosecution in cases where access is denied, while the Theopemptou proposal defines the state’s responsibilities towards assistance dogs.
Speaking about her own proposal, Attalidou said it had been “a long and demanding journey”, noting that she had submitted it three years ago. She thanked the Cyprus Bar Association for its contribution.
She said the bill puts an end to “clear discrimination against drivers solely on the basis of age”, adding that discussions had clearly shown that age alone does not constitute risk. “These are not opinions; these are figures that were submitted,” she said. “No one can now invoke age as the sole reason for refusing or renewing insurance, or for increasing premiums.”
She added that when a person holds a valid driving licence issued following medical assessment, additional measures cannot be imposed that restrict their right to mobility in a state that does not provide adequate support for elderly people or sufficient public transport. “The time of arbitrary refusal is over. There will be no discrimination without justification,” she said.
Attalidou said that on February 12 society should see a parliament that unanimously says: “We have not forgotten you, we are not pushing you to the margins, we stand by you and we support the human right to security.”
Support from pensioners’ organisations
The Cyprus Pensioners’ Organisation (EKYSY) said in a statement that it supports the proposed legislation and called for the immediate abolition of practices that violate the principle of equal treatment and constitutional provisions.
The organisation urged all political parties to support insured pensioners rather than insurance companies, reiterating complaints that insurers impose higher premiums on pensioners solely on the basis of age rather than driving behaviour. It said the issue affects around 74,000 drivers aged over 70.
The Observatory for the Third Age, in an open letter to the House president and party leaders, said that when people over 70 are collectively penalised through excessive charges or denial of coverage without individual assessment or transparent justification, “this is not a free market but a blatant violation of human rights and social exclusion”.
“It is inconceivable, in a state governed by the rule of law, for a citizen deemed fit to drive by the state and holding a valid licence to be effectively ‘cancelled’ by private, profit-driven companies,” the letter said. “Since when does the judgement of a private insurer outweigh state certification?”
The observatory said the bill on elderly drivers must include three key provisions: that insurers are obliged to provide third-party coverage to any citizen holding a valid driving licence and cannot challenge driving ability; that premiums cannot be increased solely on the basis of age and any increase must be justified in writing with clear reasoning unrelated to age; and that deterrent penalties must be imposed on insurers who breach the law.
It urged MPs not to yield to pressure from insurance industry lobbies, stating: “Vote for the amendment. We demand legal safeguards that oblige companies to insure every lawful licence holder, with fair premiums and without abusive terms.”
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