The Union of Municipalities has reacted strongly, through its President Andreas Vyras, to the recent discussion about “antisemitic slogans” and the circular sent for their removal from walls.
In a post, Mr. Vyras states that “Local Government is governed by both Cypriot and European legislation, as well as the European Charter of Local Self-Government of the Council of Europe, in which administrative autonomy is a fundamental and non-negotiable principle,” adding that “in this context, we do not accept suggestions from third parties, and even more so from any foreign country.”
He notes that this position will also be included in an official letter that will be sent by him – as President of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities – to the Ministry of Interior.
Read his full statement below:
Following the recent letter forwarded by the Ministry of Interior, as a result of an intervention by a Minister of the Israeli Government, as President of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities I want to make it clear that Local Government is governed by both Cypriot and European legislation, as well as the European Charter of Local Self-Government of the Council of Europe, in which administrative autonomy is a fundamental and non-negotiable principle.
In this context, we do not accept suggestions from third parties, and even more so from any foreign country.
I want to assure you that Municipalities, where they identify slogans that truly incite violence or contain hate speech, intervene without needing external suggestions. At the same time, freedom of expression is non-negotiable.
This position will also be included in an official letter that will be sent by me as President of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities to the Ministry of Interior.
At the same time, I cannot personally not express my sadness over the fact that, at a time when there are thousands of dead next to us, with international reactions and statements, including from the Secretary-General of the United Nations, we are called upon to turn the public discussion to slogans on walls, instead of focusing on the essence of the great humanitarian crisis and the crimes against humanity that are in progress.
