Overview 113th Session – Cyprus
On the 19th and 20th of March 2015, the Human Rights Committee reviewed the fourth periodic report of Cyprus on its implementation of the ICCPR.
During the review, the Human Rights Committee stressed the issue of the treatment of Turkish Cypriots in Cyprus. There are currently no members of the Turkish community represented in the judiciary and employment of Turkish Cypriots in the civil service is very limited as entry examinations are only offered in Greek. Moreover, according to NGO reports certain Turkish Cypriots are unable to vote or be elected and there has been an increase in racist attacks against the latter.
The Human Rights Committee also raised the following concerns: voting rights of internally displaced persons, unresolved cases of disappearances (some 502 Turkish Cypriots and 1534 Greek Cypriots have been reported missing), living conditions in detention centres, respect for the rights of asylum seekers and freedom of religion (it was reported that there are hundreds of mosques where believers can only go on Fridays and more than 30 mosques had been destroyed).
The Cyprus delegation responded to the Committee’s concerns by explaining that since the 1974 Turkish invasion, Turkish Cypriots had withdrawn from the administration. However, the delegation did express the hope that with an increase in the activities of civil society organisations, the situation will change and the two communities will be brought together.
In its concluding remarks, the Human Rights Committee stressed that the principle of non-discrimination was a cornerstone of international human rights law, and that Cyprus had to ensure that it was respected through public policies. Moreover, it invited Cyprus to involve the civil society directly in the process of implementations of the recommendations.
The delegation of Cyprus thanked the Committee for its constructive dialogue and affirmed that the respect for human rights was a top priority for the Government of Cyprus, which would continue to promote and enhance human rights for all citizens of Cyprus.
The Concluding Observations for which Cyprus should provide information on implementation within one year concerned the following areas:
For a comprehensive overview of the discussion, see the proceedings on the OHCHR website or the webcast of the session.
The next periodic report should be submitted by the State party on the 2nd of April 2020.
