A new report by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) praises positive steps in Cyprus since adopting its last report on the country in 2016, while also pointing out various areas of concern.
Employment procedures for asylum seekers were made “significantly easier” as of October 2021, when a simple declaration by an employer became sufficient to allow hiring, ECRI notes in its report. Another positive development observed by ECRI is the entry into force of the Code of Principles and Ethics for Members of Parliament in 2021, which prohibits hate speech and racist behaviour by MPs in the performance of their duties. ECRI is also pleased to note that since 2019 it has become easier for transgender people to change their names and gender in official documents.
Despite such progress, shortcomings persist in various areas. The report, which covers the situation in Cyprus up to 30 June 2022, identifies as a matter of “serious concern” practices of subjecting some gay and lesbian people to so-called conversion therapies. ECRI also observes that hate speech is still widespread in Cypriot public discourse and remains mostly unchallenged.
