The UN report highlights the ongoing division in Cyprus as a major obstacle to human rights, impacting various communities and rights. Advocacy efforts and a human rights-based approach are essential to address discrimination and promote social cohesion in the reunification process, especially amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
What are the main human rights challenges in Cyprus according to the UN report?
The UN report identifies the division of Cyprus as a key barrier to human rights, affecting civil, political, social, and economic rights, especially for migrants, minorities, and the Turkish Cypriot community. It emphasizes the need for a human rights-based approach and cooperation to address discrimination, promote social cohesion, and aid in the island’s reunification efforts.
Persistent Challenges Amidst COVID-19 Recovery
The persistent division of Cyprus significantly impacts the human rights situation on the island. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has highlighted that the divide remains a barrier to the full realization of human rights for all Cypriots. Spanning from December 1, 2022, to November 30, 2023, the 15-page annual report paints a picture of a society still grappling with the repercussions of a long-standing geopolitical conflict, exacerbated by the global pandemic.
Despite strides toward normalcy post-COVID-19, civil, political, social, and economic rights are affected, with vulnerable groups feeling the brunt more acutely. Migrants, minorities, and the Turkish Cypriot community face disproportionate discrimination. Long queues and discrimination at checkpoints, despite their regular operation, impede the fundamental right to freedom of movement, stymieing interaction and trust-building between the two communities.
Advocacy and Civil Society Efforts
In the face of these adversities, the spirit of human rights advocacy remains undeterred. The report commends the commendable actions of civil society actors, religious leaders, and various bicommunal technical committees. Their concerted efforts have been crucial in promoting human rights and supporting the afflicted, including refugees and unaccompanied minors, under the “Faith for Rights” initiative.
Furthermore, the northern part of Cyprus has seen its civil society organizations bolster their efforts in human rights advocacy, producing their inaugural human rights monitoring reports. This marks a vital step in highlighting and addressing the human rights violations that occur within their domain.
Economic Divide and Human Rights Approach
The report underscores the widening economic divide on the island, emphasizing the need for a human rights-based approach that stands firmly on non-discrimination, participation, transparency, and accountability principles. Such an approach is deemed crucial for fostering social cohesion, bolstering sustainable development, and furthering political dialogue.
A human rights-based strategy, the report suggests, is fundamental not only for the well-being of Cypriots but also as a supportive framework for finding a just and enduring resolution to the island’s division. The OHCHR encourages enhanced cooperation and technical engagement with United Nations human rights mechanisms to address issues highlighted in the report.
Access and Cooperation for Human Rights Progress
The report concludes by stressing the importance of unfettered access across the island for OHCHR and relevant actors to reach all affected individuals. Full cooperation with the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot authorities is paramount to advancing the human rights of all Cypriots. Such collaboration is a cornerstone of ensuring the effective realization of international human rights standards, without discrimination, for every individual on the island.
The UN appeals for steadfast commitment from all stakeholders to identify and close human rights protection gaps. This approach not only strengthens the human rights framework within Cyprus but also contributes significantly to the broader quest for peace and reconciliation.
What are the main human rights challenges in Cyprus according to the UN report?
The UN report identifies the division of Cyprus as a key barrier to human rights, affecting civil, political, social, and economic rights, especially for migrants, minorities, and the Turkish Cypriot community. It emphasizes the need for a human rights-based approach and cooperation to address discrimination, promote social cohesion, and aid in the island’s reunification efforts.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated human rights challenges in Cyprus?
The persistent division of Cyprus has significantly impacted the full realization of human rights for all Cypriots, with vulnerable groups, such as migrants, minorities, and the Turkish Cypriot community, facing disproportionate discrimination. Challenges include long queues and discrimination at checkpoints, hindering the fundamental right to freedom of movement and trust-building between communities.
How are advocacy and civil society efforts contributing to human rights progress in Cyprus?
Civil society actors, religious leaders, and bicommunal technical committees in Cyprus have played a crucial role in promoting human rights and supporting vulnerable groups, such as refugees and unaccompanied minors. The northern part of Cyprus has also seen an increase in human rights advocacy efforts through the production of inaugural human rights monitoring reports.
Why is a human rights-based approach crucial in addressing the economic divide in Cyprus?
The UN report underscores the importance of a human rights-based approach that prioritizes non-discrimination, participation, transparency, and accountability principles in addressing the widening economic gap on the island. This approach is vital for fostering social cohesion, sustainable development, and political dialogue, ultimately contributing to finding a just and enduring resolution to the division of Cyprus.
