Cyprus trying to improve LGBTI rights

The road to eliminating discrimination and prejudice is long and difficult but Cyprus is taking strides forward, said Costa Gavrielides, adviser to the President on Multiculturalism, Acceptance and Respect for Diversity.

In a statement to celebrate International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia 2020, Gavrielides said this year, Cyprus saw a significant rise in the annual Rainbow Europe index of the international LGBTI rights organisation ILGA-Europe.

By scoring 31% on the index, Cyprus rose to 19th place (from 23 in 2019) among EU countries and was 29th among the 49 countries of the Council of Europe.

“Although the percentage of legislation we have as a country remains low, the progress that has been made is substantial,” said Gavrielides.

“Of particular note is the series of actions taken by the Ministry of Interior, which most of the time the general public are unaware of but are an important aid in the fight against discrimination,” he added.

Gavrielides said the LGBTI community in Cyprus face discrimination and prejudice on a daily basis but there is a willingness to resolve such issues.

“However, we are now in a better position than ever before and I am sure that, with steady and substantial steps, the improvement will continue uninterrupted and with every year we will become better.”