Cyprus

Cyprus has reported hate crime data to ODIHR since 2019. Cyprus' law includes a general enhancement provision and substantive offences. The data reported to ODIHR do not present cases of hate crime and incitement to hatred separately. Data are collected by the Cyprus Police and its Office for Combating Discrimination, and are published online.

How hate crime data is collected in Cyprus

How hate crime data is collected in Cyprus

The Cyprus Police records as hate crimes (racial or racially motivated crime) any offence or incident reported or perceived as such by (i) the victim, (ii) a person acting on behalf of the victim, (iii) a person who was present and witnessed the incident, (iv) a member of the police or (v) the Ombudsman. Hate crimes are recorded when bias motivation on the following grounds has been identified: race, community, language, colour, religion, political or other beliefs, ethnic origin, disability, age, sexual orientation or gender.

An internal police system for recording racial or racially motivated incidents/offences has been in place since 2005. It communicates and is partly integrated within the national electronic Crime Report Registry. The system is regulated by Police Standing Order 3/38, and is administered by the Police Office for Combating Discrimination.

In addition to formally recorded hate crimes, the Office gathers data from additional official and non-official channels, such as police station logbooks, civil society organizations or other non-police agencies, media reports and direct disclosures by victims. "Unofficial" information about incidents is cross-checked with other sources and, where relevant, formally recorded and processed as hate crimes.

Police recording and statistics are based on the incident/offence/case approach. Therefore, multiple charges and/or offenders and/or victims are counted as a single incident. Statistics are available on the Cyprus Police website in English and Greek.

Access more information at the Legislation Online website Legislationline TANDIS Access more information at the Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Information System (TANDIS) website

OFFICIAL DATA

Year Hate crimes recorded by police Prosecuted Sentenced
2020 Not available Not available Not available
2019 40 6 0
2018 30 3 0
2017 Not available Not available Not available
2016 Not available Not available Not available
2015 Not available Not available Not available
2014 Not available Not available Not available
2013 Not available Not available Not available
2012 12 7 0
2011 15 13 2
2010 34 32 18
2009 8 16 3

INCIDENTS REPORTED BY OTHER SOURCES

Anti-Christian hate crime

Date Type of incident Source Description
2020-10 Attacks against property
OIDAC
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INTERNATIONAL REPORTS

No information is available.

KEY OBSERVATION

ODIHR observes that Cyprus has not reported information and statistics on hate crimes to ODIHR since 2019. In addition, ODIHR observes that Cyprus would benefit from raising the awareness and building the capacity of criminal justice officials in relation to hate crimes.

ODIHR recalls that in the Ministerial Council Decision 9/09, participating States have committed to periodically reporting reliable information and statistics on hate crimes to ODIHR. In the Ministerial Council Decision 9/09, participating States have also committed to introducing or further developing professional training and capacity-building activities for law-enforcement, prosecution and judicial officials dealing with hate crimes. ODIHR stands ready to support Cyprus in meeting its relevant commitments through the provision of comprehensive resources and tailored assistance in the area of hate crime recording and data collection, as well as further resources and capacity building assistance for its police, prosecution, and judiciary.

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