Former European Commissioner and former DISY vice-president Stella Kyriakides has publicly disagreed with the party’s position on the removal of parents’ names from Cyprus identity cards.
Kyriakides supports the decision not to display the names of a child’s father and mother, arguing that an identity card should confirm the child’s own identity without disclosing details about their family circumstances.
Risk of discrimination against children
Her position contrasts with that of DISY, which called on the government to reverse the removal of the “father’s name” and “mother’s name” fields, describing the decision as “unilateral and misguided”.
Kyriakides warned that including parents’ names could, even unintentionally, lead to discrimination or the stigmatisation of children whose father is unknown or who are being raised by a single parent.
She referred to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, particularly its provisions prohibiting discrimination based on a parent’s status, requiring the child’s best interests to be a primary consideration and protecting the right to a personal identity.
Information already held by the state
Kyriakides noted that parents’ details are already recorded in the state’s civil registry and can be accessed by the relevant authorities whenever legally required.
“Including them on an identity card serves no meaningful identification purpose, while it could result in the unnecessary disclosure of personal data and unequal treatment,” she said.
She added that protecting all children from every form of discrimination should remain a primary concern.
Kyriakides’ full statement
“The identity card of a child should certify the identity of the child themselves, not disclose information about their family circumstances.
“Including parents’ names on identity cards could, even unintentionally, lead to discrimination or the stigmatisation of children whose father is unknown or who are being raised by a single parent.
“The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Cyprus has also ratified, provides that:
- Article 2: No child should face discrimination because of the status or characteristics of their parents.
- Article 3: In every decision concerning children, the best interests of the child must be a primary consideration.
- Articles 7 and 8: Every child has the right to an identity and to respect for their personal identity.
“Parents’ details are already held in the state’s civil registry and can be accessed whenever legally necessary. Including them on an identity card serves no meaningful identification purpose, while it could result in the unnecessary disclosure of personal data and unequal treatment.
“Protecting all children from every form of discrimination is of primary importance.”
