The Republic of Cyprus has a strong legal framework for the protection of equality, aligned with European and international law, but legislation alone is not sufficient, the Ombudswoman Maria Stylianou-Lottides has said on Saturday marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
She noted that in recent years her office has handled cases involving discrimination on the basis of racial or ethnic origin, as well as incidents of hate speech. These interventions, she stressed, are aimed not only at addressing individual injustices but also at correcting systemic distortions.
Education and awareness
At the same time, preventive actions are being developed, with a focus on education, awareness and fostering a culture of respect for diversity. However, prevention cannot be effective without accountability, she warned, adding that the normalisation of hate speech in public discourse cannot be tolerated as mere “opinion” when it undermines fundamental rights and reinforces exclusion.
“As Commissioner for Administration and Human Rights, I reaffirm the commitment of my office to carry out its role with independence, consistency and determination,” she said. “The protection of equality and human dignity is not a declaratory objective; it is an institutional obligation.”
She emphasised that responsibility is collective and action is imperative, adding that “the current circumstances do not allow for neutrality. Tolerance of discrimination—even when expressed through silence or inaction—amounts to complicity”.
Discrimination persists in modern forms
According to Lottides, the international day serves as a reminder that racism has not disappeared but continues to evolve and adapt, becoming entrenched if not addressed decisively.
“In today’s reality, discrimination is not only direct and visible,” she said. “It is often embedded in administrative practices, social stereotypes and institutional inertia.”
She pointed to areas such as access to employment, housing, education and everyday interactions with public administration as key domains where discrimination can manifest.
“Behind every complaint is a person who has experienced exclusion, doubt or humiliation,” she added. “Each such experience is a blow not only to the individual but to democracy itself.”
Gap between rights and reality
While Cyprus has a robust legal framework, she stressed that its effectiveness depends on implementation. Combating discrimination is not merely a matter of compliance, but lies at the core of the rule of law.
Referring to positions by international organisations such as the United Nations, the Council of Europe and the European Union, she highlighted findings from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights showing that most discrimination incidents go unreported.
This, she said, demonstrates a significant gap between rights and actual access to them, with victims often lacking confidence that reporting will lead to meaningful outcomes.
She also pointed to European case law, which has made clear that the prohibition of discrimination goes beyond equal treatment and requires the substantive removal of inequalities. Courts have recognised indirect discrimination, harassment and intersectional discrimination as serious rights violations, placing human dignity at the core of protection.
Need for stronger action
Within this framework, she underlined the critical role of her office as the national equality body, noting that it goes beyond examining complaints to act as an institutional pillar for oversight, intervention and accountability.
She also highlighted the need for new tools to address modern forms of discrimination, including those in the digital sphere, algorithmic bias and multiple or intersecting forms of exclusion, which require more complex and preventive policy approaches.
In this context, she said the shift from assessment to action is essential. Strengthening training for public officials, systematically recording incidents, empowering victims, improving access to justice and enhancing cooperation between institutions and civil society are not optional but necessary steps.
Call for measurable progress
“The 21st of March is not just an anniversary,” she concluded. “It is a reminder that equality is not a given and that its protection requires constant vigilance.”
She added that 2026 “cannot be another year of observations”, but must instead be a year of measurable interventions, effective implementation of rules and strengthened public trust in institutions.