Council of Europe, Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities , Fourth Opinion on Cyprus adopted on 18 March 2015, published 2 November 2015.

Country

Cyprus

Title

Council of Europe, Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities , Fourth Opinion on Cyprus adopted on 18 March 2015, published 2 November 2015.

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Year

2015

Type of publication

Report

Geographical coverage

National

Area/location of interest

Not applicable - national level

Type of Institution

Council of Europe body

Institution

Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities | Council of Europe

Main Thematic Focus

Discrimination Hate speech

Target Population

Muslims Migrants Ethnic minorities People with migrant background

Key findings

The report highlights that in order to gain votes, political parties, amplified by media outlets, have been nurturing xenophobic sentiments by publicly blaming migrants for unemployment. It found there is an upsurge in racial crime against migrants, refugees, Turkish Cypriots and Roma by neo-Nazis, which is underreported, and condemned the lack of accountability of perpetrators. It found that the police and law enforcement officers are not sufficiently aware of their role in recording racial crime and identifying otivation. It added that victims are reluctant to turn to the police, fearing that the involvement of the police may exacerbate their situation, adding that there are recurrent reports of discriminatory conduct and excessive use of force by the police. Recommendations included training of both the police and the judiciary in human rights standards and ensuring that both racial crime and police misconduct are dealt with.

Methodology (Qualitative/Quantitative and exact type used, questionnaires etc)

The report is based on consultations with NGOs, monitoring bodies and public authorities

Sample details and representativeness

N/A

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