Cyprus

In 2024, Article 99A of the Penal Code was amended to increase penalties for incitement (violence or hatred on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity). The amendment raised the prison sentence from 3 to 5 years and increased the fine from €5,000 to €10,000.

Cyprus is preparing a strategy on preventing and combating anti-Semitism, based on the EU Strategy on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life. The country is also preparing a strategy on the protection of the rights of persons belonging to the LGBTI+ community.

In 2024, the following training programmes were organized in the Cyprus Police Academy :

• "Combating Discrimination and Racism and Respect of Human Rights", held on 1 January 2024. The training was attended by approximately 30 police officers responsible for investigating racist cases.
• "Respect for the diversity of each person", held on 9 May, 4 September 2024, and 14 November 2024. The trainings were attended by approximately 60 members of the Police. These trainings were co-organized with the NGO "ACCEPT LGBTI Cyprus".
• "Combating Xenophobia and Racism and Respect for Human Rights", was held on 24 September 2024. The training focused on investigating racist offences and was attended by 22 police officers.

In 2024, the Cyprus Police undertook the following actions:

• Established an Office for Human Rights and Combating Discrimination, which handles policy issues on combating discrimination and maintains statistical records concerning the investigation of complaints/criminal cases involving racist offences, among other activities. The investigation of racist offences is carried out by Police Departments, the Criminal Investigation Departments (CID), and the Cybercrime Division.
• Issued a Police Standing Order titled "Management of Offences and Anti-Discrimination Issues," which includes the legislative framework for racist offences and regulates the recognition, investigation, and recording of these offences.
• Appointed 12 liaison officers for combating discrimination (two in each District Department), with experience in investigative duties. In particular, these officers are responsible, inter alia, for coordinating and supervising the investigation of complaints concerning incidents/cases of discrimination or other related hate crimes, ensuring that the Human Rights and Combating Discrimination Office is immediately informed.
• Developed a form for reporting racist offences/incidents and related hate offences. The form must be completed by the police officer receiving a complaint related to an offence/incident with a racist motive.
• Developed a questionnaire for use as a guide for identifying incidents or offences related to discrimination or other related hate crimes. The questionnaire is intended to assist members of the police investigating complaints related to hate crimes.
• Included the principle of equal treatment without discrimination in the Code of Police Ethics. The Code was uploaded on the Police Portal and the official website, and was printed as a booklet distributed to all members of the Police.
• Circulated letters to all members of the Police concerning human rights and issues relating to discrimination, xenophobia, and racism. In particular, in 2024, a circular letter was issued regarding racial profiling, emphasizing, among other things, that the detainment, search, and detention of any individual based solely on their ethnic origin or other distinct characteristics are prohibited. Additionally, the Handbook of the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) titled "Preventing Unlawful Profiling Today and in the Future: A Guide" was distributed to Police Departments for awareness and use.
• Prepared a "Human Rights Handbook", which includes a separate chapter on tackling racism, xenophobia and intolerance. The purpose of the manual is to inform and raise awareness of human rights among members of the Police.
• Established a Human Rights Day, with conferences focusing on themes related to human rights and fundamental freedoms.