The ongoing human rights challenges arising from Cyprus’ division have been spotlighted in a recent report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The report incorporates findings from the Embrace: Rights for Reconciliation project, a joint initiative funded by the European Union and implemented by the Cyprus Peace and Dialogue Center (CPDC) and the Interdisciplinary Centre for Law, Alternative and Innovative Methods (ICLAIM).
Challenges for children of mixed marriages
The report outlines several key human rights violations impacting the island’s communities, particularly concerning issues of discrimination. Among the highlighted concerns are the significant obstacles faced by children born from mixed marriages in securing Republic of Cyprus citizenship, which has led to limitations on their educational and travel freedoms.
Turkish Cypriots are unable to open bank accounts
Furthermore, the report details the challenges experienced by Turkish Cypriots, specifically their inability to open bank accounts in the southern region of Cyprus. Additionally, it underscores the restrictions on the use of the Turkish language in public spaces, despite its official status in the Republic of Cyprus.
Other pressing topics addressed in the report include property rights, the status of missing persons, and the active participation of women and children in peace processes—further evidence of the systemic human rights violations that persist in the context of the island’s division.
In light of the report’s findings, both organisations are urging all stakeholders to prioritise a rights-based reconciliation process. They are calling for the development of rights-based solutions and concrete measures to combat discrimination, ultimately aiming to strengthen inter-communal dialogue in Cyprus.
