Accept-LGBTI+ expressed serious concerns regarding alleged hate incidents against the LGBTI+ community in Cyprus.
The group highlighted the case of a transgender woman in Famagusta who has reportedly faced frequent physical and verbal attacks, as well as threatening graffiti targeting her identity.
During a meeting of the House Human Rights Committee, representatives of Accept-LGBTI+ reported that the trans woman has been facing assaults both inside and outside her home, with perpetrators physically attacking and verbally abusing her. According to Accept-LGBTI+ they also spray-painted threatening graffiti outside her house, including messages like “You’re trans, you should die,” and other similar threats.
“This is not an isolated incident,” Accept-LGBTI+ representatives stated, claiming more frequent occurrences of similar incidents in the free area of Famagusta and certain parts of Larnaca.
The organisation urged action, citing pervasive racism and hate speech directed at the LGBTI+ community.
A representative of Accept-LGBTI+ emphasised the pervasive nature of racism and hate speech, sharing a personal experience: “I had posted a video of the pride parade online, and the hateful comments and messages I received were unimaginable.”
The meeting also addressed the National Strategy on LGBTI+ rights, with the Ministry of Justice confirming its progress and expected completion by year-end.
A recent survey by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) found that LGBTIQ people in Cyprus face persistent discrimination, violence and negative social attitudes.
A total of 14% of respondents in Cyprus reported physical attacks within the past five years, slightly higher than the EU-27 average of 13%.
(Picture by REUTERS/Yiannis Kourtoglou)
Read more:
