Online meeting in the framework of a joint action of the Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE ODIHR), to tackle hate crimes (Addressing Hate Crime in Cyprus)

Online meeting
in the framework of a joint action
of the Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE ODIHR),
to tackle hate crimes (Addressing Hate Crime in Cyprus)

An online meeting on "Initiating Inter-Agency Co-operation on Addressing Hate Crime in Cyprus" was held today, March 22, 2021, marking the beginning of the inter-service cooperation between the Commissioner for Administration and Protection of Human Rights and the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE ODIHR) in the framework of the joint initiative, for the development and promotion of inter-service cooperation between competent public authorities and civil society organizations, in order to deal more effectively the hate crimes in Cyprus (addressing hate crimes).

During the meeting, the Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights, Mrs. Maria Stylianou-Lottides, the Minister of Justice and Public Action, Mr. Emily Yiolitis, the Assistant Attorney General, Mr. Savvas Aggelides, the Chief of Police Mr. Stelios Papatheodorou, addressed greetings.

Representatives of the Ministries of Justice and Public Order and Interior, of the Police, of the Office of the Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights, academics and representatives of the Civil Society / Non-Governmental Organizations were present.

During the meeting, presentations were made on the challenges posed by hate crimes, by the Officer of the Office of the Commissioner Mr. George Kakotas, Mr. Tome Shekerdjiev on behalf of the ODIHR, Mrs. Kyriaki Lamprianidou on behalf of the Police Office against Discrimination, Mr. Michalis Bey on behalf of the Asylum Service and the Civil Registry and Migration Department, as well as by Messrs. Monica Panagi and Natali Alkiviadou, on behalf of the Civil Society / NGO (ACCEPT –LGBTI Cyprus and Aequitas, respectively).

The challenges and opportunities for deepening cooperation between all those involved in dealing with hate crimes as a result of racist behavior were analyzed and it was decided to jointly take further steps and actions in this direction.