Cyprus/ Commissioner for the protection of children's rights/Public Statement by the Commissioner for the Protection of Children's Rights, regarding the statements of the Government Spokesperson, dated 10/11/2021.
Country
Cyprus
Title
Year
Decision/ruling/judgment date
Incident(s) concerned/related
Related Bias motivation
Groups affected
Court/Body type
Court/Body
Key facts of the case
Main reasoning/argumentation
The Commissioner found that the entire structure of the Government Spokesman's speech, the use of figures without explanation or differentiation, exacerbated feelings of insecurity, xenophobia and intolerance in society. She criticised the Government Spokesperson for purposely failing to specify the figures quoted, which may include children of mixed marriages, children of investors residing in Cyprus, children whose parents have a residence and work permit in Cyprus and children of asylum seekers, refugee children, unaccompanied children. The Commissioner stressed that children of a migrant background are first and foremost children and therefore a vulnerable group exposed to serious risks and daily infringement of their rights.
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 state, society and the individual have an absolute duty to avoid targeting them and constructing them as a potential threat to society, as this will inevitably lead to their social exclusion and stigmatisation. Support for children is required to ensure that all their rights are safeguarded without discrimination; and access to education that is designed to meet their needs is crucial for their development and social integration. The multicultural character of Cypriot society commands respect for all the duties arising under the UN Convention on the rights of the child to ensure social peace.
Results (sanctions, outcome) and key consequences or implications of the case
The Commissioner for the protection of children's rights does not have power to impose sanctions. The swift response to the Spokesperson's statement and the strong language she used set an important precedent, albeit limited to where children's rights are at stake.
Key quotation in original language and its unofficial translation into English with reference details
"Τα παιδιά με μεταναστευτική βιογραφία είναι πρώτα πάνω απ’ όλα παιδιά. Αποτελούν μια ευάλωτη ομάδα εκτεθειμένη σε σοβαρούς κινδύνους και καθημερινή προσβολή των δικαιωμάτων τους. Είναι αδιαπραγμάτευτη αρχή και υποχρέωση του Κράτους, της κοινωνίας και του ατόμου, να αποφεύγεται η στοχοποίηση τους και η αντίκρισή τους ως μια εν δυνάμει απειλή που αναπόφευκτα δεν οδηγεί παρά σε κοινωνικό αποκλεισμό και στιγματισμό τους. Απαιτούμενο είναι η υποστήριξή των παιδιών ώστε να διασφαλίζονται αδιακρίτως όλα τους τα δικαιώματα."_"Children with an immigrant background are first and foremost children. They are a vulnerable group exposed to serious risks and daily violations of their rights. It is a non-negotiable principle and obligation of the State, society and the individual to avoid targeting them and viewing them as a potential threat that inevitably leads to nothing more than their social exclusion and stigmatisation. Support for children is required to ensure that all their rights are guaranteed without discrimination."