LGBT rights in Cyprus are very low, leading to discrimination against lesbian, gay, bi and transsexuals, a Council of Europe report concluded yesterday.
The island is among the majority of the Council of Europe’s member states that have no legal recognition of same-sex partnerships, thus offering LGBT people little protection against acts of discrimination, the Council of Europe’s parliamentary assembly’s draft resolution ‘Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity’ said.
Less than half of the 47 member states have strict provisions in their law that forbid discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, including the UK, Spain, Belgium and Albania.
However, Cyprus is among 26 states that have absolutely no legal framework. The island is also among just eight members – including Armenia, Azerbaijan and San Marino – that have never held events such as the Gay Pride Festival.
The lack of activism in itself is considered a reflection of society’s lack of acceptance towards LGBT and their rights, according to the draft resolution.
Hate speech is another issue touched on in the report. “It is the paramount duty of all public authorities… to refrain from speech likely to legitimise and fuel discrimination or hatred based on intolerance,” it stressed.
Former DISY MP Andreas Themistocleous provoked the wrath of local and international gay protection groups last year with his take on legalising same-sex marriages: “Just because there exist among us paedophiles, people who practice bestiality, necrophiliacs and other criminals, should the state legitimise their status too?” he said.
Under international law, sexual orientation and gender identity are recognised as a prohibited ground of discrimination.
In a recent ruling, the European Court of Human Rights said any form of negative attitudes towards LGBT were viewed in the law’s eyes as unacceptable as discrimination due to sex, race and origin.
“Nevertheless, LGBT persons face deeply rooted prejudices, hostility and widespread discrimination all over Europe,” the assembly stated. “The lack of knowledge and understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity is a challenge to be addressed in most Council of Europe member states since it results in an extensive range of human rights violations, affecting the lives of millions of people.”
The council added that the lack of legal protection in many states, such as Cyprus, has resulted in a worryingly high suicide rate among transgender persons.
“LGBT people face widespread bullying, sometimes unhelpful or hostile teachers, and curricula which either ignore LGBT issues or propagate homophobic or transphobic attitudes. A combination of discriminatory attitudes in society and rejection by the family can be very damaging for the mental health of young LGBT people, as evidenced by suicide rates which are much higher than those in the wider youth population,” the resolution said.
The Assembly concluded that to eradicate homophobia and transphobia, member states need to show the political will and implement appropriate legislation to ensure the fundamental rights of LGBT people, including freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and association, are respected, in line with international human rights standards.
