Observing the law is an obligation for the public and more so for the state, the House legal committee MPs said on Wednesday, during discussions on the way people were informed of traffic violations caught on camera and fine payments, through the lens of human rights.

The MPs examined a note prepared by personal data protection commissioner Irene Loizidou Nicolaidou on a website through which drivers could enter their ID or other identification information and their vehicle registration number to learn whether they have any pending fines.

The site included a police warning on the potential of criminal proceedings.

This, the MPs said, was “an attempt at bullying”.

A state representative said 100,000 fines sent by post had been returned and that 65,000 had been sent out to be delivered by hand, of which only 10,000 had been served.

A representative of the company managing the traffic cameras said 25,000 fines had been paid.

He said there was a state of unrest at the company, as the safety of employees was being raised.

Furthermore, the company did not have full access to addresses, for which the justice ministry was promoting a bill to rectify the problem, including informing car owners of violations by sms.

The committee heard that the deputy technology minister was against paying fines through CY Login, as this would act as a deterrent for the public to register.

It was also noted that the post office informs the company when a violator refuses to receive the notice.

A police representative said the use of the platform was not faulty, however improvements could be made based on the data protection commissioner’s recommendations.

The representative from the Cyprus Bar Association expressed concern over the investigation of violations over the platform, as a first-time violator should not be treated in the same manner as a repetitive violator.

The law commissioner said she had an alternative way to deliver the fines and would submit her ideas if requested.

Speaking after the meeting, MPs said the data protection commissioner had not been consulted about the platform and that her recommendations should be adopted.

They also spoke of bullying and a violation of the fundamental rights of people through the site and called on the public to observe the law.

MPs also suggested that violators should be able to pay the fines in instalments.