Cyprus, Commissioner for administration and human rights/Public Statement of the Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights regarding the respect for religious freedom and cultural heritage, Ref. AYT. 6/2021

Country

Cyprus

Title

Cyprus, Commissioner for administration and human rights/Public Statement of the Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights regarding the respect for religious freedom and cultural heritage, Ref. AYT. 6/2021

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Year

2021

Decision/ruling/judgment date

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Incident(s) concerned/related

Property offence

Related Bias motivation

Religion

Groups affected

Muslims

Court/Body type

National Human Rights Body

Court/Body

Commissioner for administration and human rights and NHRI (Ombudsperson)

Key facts of the case

A self-initiated position paper published by the Ombuds institution, following the vandalism of a mosque in the village of Episkopi. The paper refers to a party held in an Armenian Monastery and the theft of doors at a monastery both in the Turkish-controlled north of Cyprus, describing those incidents as similar to the vandalism of the mosque with anti-turkish slogans. The paper underlines the need to respect religious rights amd strengthen mutual respect for religious traditions and cultural heritage.

Main reasoning/argumentation

The paper was issued following the attack on the msque and in light of the fact that the religious holidays of Easter and Ramadan would coincide in the following weeks. It does not set out any specific recommendations.

Is the case related to the application of the Framework Decision on Racism and Xenophobia, the Racial Equality Directive?

Key issues (concepts, interpretations) clarified by the case

The freedom to manifest one's religion in specific places of worship is key to the implementation of freedom of religion.

Results (sanctions, outcome) and key consequences or implications of the case

There were no results, sanctions or other consequences. On 26/03/2021 the Turkish Cypriot leader of religious affairs told the media that the the impunity in previous mosque vandalisation had encouraged the Episkopi mosque vandalisation. The case was not tried until the date of writing.

Key quotation in original language and its unofficial translation into English with reference details

"In this regard, further to the existing inclusive legal framework for the protection of human rights, it is necessary to continue and intensify actions and policies, aimed at promoting and substantially comprehensing the above principles and values of mutual respect for the protection of individual rights and society at large, from acts eligible to cultivate hatred. The message that, in any case, should be given by the State, is zero tolerance for such actions that violate human rights and disrupt the harmonious coexistence of people of different nationalities, ethnicities, religions and traditions, but also the indisputable necessity for measures aiming to achieve the respect cultural heritage in all directions." [the report was published in English]

DISCLAIMERThe information presented here is collected under contract by the FRA's research network FRANET. The information and views contained do not necessarily reflect the views or the official position of the FRA.