Demonstration outside parliament over foreclosure bill

Demonstrators gathered outside parliament on Monday to protest over the scheduled vote on the foreclosure bill.

“Let their humanity speak and let them see what’s out there, how people are suffering, and not think only of their own financial gain,” said one of the protesters.

Spokeswoman of the anti-foreclosure movement Evgenia Moyseos said that the hedge funds purchased loans at 10 to 15 per cent of the properties’ value but were demanding 100 per cent from borrowers.

Moyseos suggested that the banks could support people by making 30 or 40 or 50 per cent offers, stressing that thousands were affected by the new bill.

“They are not voting today on a procedure, but on who will lose their homes. And history will not record who supported the banks and the funds, but who left people homeless. They are elected by the people, not by the banks, nor by the funds,” she said.

President of the organisation of the deaf, Marina Georgiou, highlighted that people with disabilities were also at risk of losing their homes, as many are getting by on stipends and were “unable to cope.”

“We are here in parliament today to ensure the right outcome for everyone, including those with disabilities,” Georgiou said.

Akel leader Stefanos Stefanou argued in favour of safeguarding the rights of borrowers, particularly the right to housing while at the same time “putting a stop to the arbitrary actions of banks and investment funds.”

“In any case, given the power banks wield, they often act arbitrarily. A limit must be placed on this arbitrariness,” he said.

“Where will we go? Will we become refugees in our own homeland? Will we be homeless? Where will we go to live? The rents are skyrocketing. We cannot afford. We will be on the streets,” one demonstrator unable to pay her mortgage said.

The woman said the living conditions in Cyprus had deprived the underprivileged of their right to fair treatment, while the affluent were endowed with numerous privileges.

“We live in a state that does not protect us,” she said.