Political movements and activist groups will stage a demonstration outside the parliament building in Nicosia today, protesting against proposed legislation that would impose new restrictions on public gatherings and demonstrations.
The protest, scheduled to begin at 17:00, will denounce the law on public gatherings and parades as an attack on fundamental democratic rights.
“The right to protest is not negotiable,” organisers declared in a Facebook event announcing the demonstration.
The coalition statement warned the bill would “provide a legal framework to enable more police brutality and abuse of power” during a period of “increasing authoritarianism.”
Protesters argue the proposed legislation threatens freedom of expression, assembly and data protection. They cite recent incidents of what they characterise as authoritarian police interventions during peaceful demonstrations, including allegations of physical and verbal violence by officers and provocative arrests.
“Police has used increasingly authoritarian practices in the last few years. The bill proposed by Christodoulides’ government and supported by conservative and nationalist parties only comes to legalise these authoritarian practices. We shall not let it pass,” afoa told in-cyprus.
Legislative background
The contested bill requires organisers to inform police seven days in advance of any gathering involving more than 20 people, including details of routes, timing and purposes. It also introduces three new criminal offences related to violent behaviour during protests.
Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis has defended the legislation, stating its purpose is to “safeguard the right to peaceful assembly” through clear procedures, not to ban gatherings outright.
The Justice Ministry has dismissed criticism of the proposed law, calling claims it would create a “police state” unfounded and misleading. Parliamentary debate on the legislation has faced delays due to insufficient attendance at committee sessions.
Cyprus’s constitution guarantees freedom of peaceful assembly under Article 21, raising questions about the proposed law’s constitutional compliance.
The demonstration is organised by:
- Aristeri Pteriga
- afoa
- Alliance Against Far-Right, Facism and RacismDiem25 Cyprus
- EDON
- Ergatiki Dimokratia
- Far Right Watch
- KISA
- Proodeftiki Student Movement
- Genocide Free Cyprus
- Queer Collective CY
- United for Palestine
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