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The recent incidents that have seen the light of day regarding violent attacks against foreign ready-to-eat food distributors in recent days in the city and district of Nicosia, which may be motivated by racist and xenophobic motives, are worrying, says Commissioner for Administration and Protection of Human Rights Maria Stylianou-Lottidis, in an ex officio statement on the matter.
- Another incident of clashes between youths and food distributors in Nicosia. Patrols increase (pics)[/URL][/B]
- One handcuffed, one injured and 3 other minors in hospital the result of the clash in Nicosia[/URL]
In particular, notes, according to press reports and internet postings, the reported attacks, which are also confirmed by the Police, took place on February 13, 2022, when a group of minors surrounded foreign ready-to-eat food distributors, who were taken off their mopeds and beaten and then the distributors called their compatriots who came to the scene, as well as parents of the youngsters.
After the intervention of the police, an extension of the fight was avoided and, in the meantime, a total of three food distributors and four young persons were injured, while a 52-year-old parent was arrested for assaulting a food distributor. Apart from this incident, the police have also noted incidents of theft and robbery against food distributors and to this end have increased their patrols to curb the phenomenon.
The Commissioner notes that her ex-officio intervention in the matter is being carried out under her powers as the Equality and Anti-Discrimination Body and as the National Human Rights Authority, due to the seriousness of the incidents, given that prima facie these appear to be racist violent attacks, blindly targeting people because of their profession (moped food deliverers) whether they are, or are perceived to be, foreigners.
To such incidents, it states, the various State agencies must react promptly, effectively and decisively, in the light of the State's given responsibility to combat racism and discrimination in practice and to protect all persons within its territory irrespective of their origin, colour, religion, ethnic or national origin.
Racist Behaviour and Hate Crimes
The Commissioner states that the heightened offensiveness of racism lies in its denial of the fundamental principle that all persons are equal and that no group of persons is hierarchically superior or inferior to any other. This, it continues, because hate crimes are blind and unprovoked crimes that are not related to any individual behaviour of the victim, but are caused, in whole or in part, by hostility and prejudice against ethnic, racial, religious, cultural, sexual, etc. groups.a. identity.
"These incidents, individually or otherwise, in addition to being criminal offences, offend the culture and values of the state and society itself. Therefore, the state has an increased obligation to act preventively, deterrently and repressively against racism and intolerance and to protect their actual and potential victims," it adds.
Legal Protection
The Commissioner refers to the EU Council Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia and says that the principles contained therein have been incorporated into the Cypriot legal order by the Law on Combating Certain Forms of Racism and Xenophobia through Criminal Law.
"Although a satisfactory legal framework for protection against discrimination and racist attitudes has been progressively adopted, hate crimes are still a real phenomenon in Cypriot society, which requires an intensive and collective response from all stakeholders involved in the matter," he adds.
Recognizing the need for a collective response to the phenomenon, within the framework of our responsibilities as an Anti-Discrimination Body, he says, we have undertaken a joint initiative with the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), to develop and promote interagency cooperation between relevant public authorities and civil society actors, with a view to addressing hate crimes in Cyprus more effectively.
"In the context of this cooperation, a Working Group has already been established with the mandate to define and promote specific actions that will strengthen and improve the framework for dealing with racially motivated crimes in Cyprus and the support of victims", he notes.
The controversial incident
In relation to this case, the Commissioner says, we should not miss the young age of the majority of the perpetrators, which should be of concern, on the one hand, as regards the emergence of a new form of juvenile delinquency and, on the other hand, as regards the target of these offences, which was our fellow citizens from third countries, motivated by their protected characteristics.
Consequently, he continues, it appears that minors have not received an education that excludes intolerant practices and are likely to engage in potentially violent acts, choosing their victims on the basis of these characteristics.
"The rise of juvenile delinquency, at least in this particular form, should therefore be radically tackled from childhood, so that children's character and behaviour are shaped to reflect feelings of love, compassion and acceptance towards all their fellow human beings," he adds.
Therefore, he notes, if this attack has demonstrated anything, it is the immediate need for education, the existence of which would prevent "crime and punishment" for such potential offences.
Therefore, he continues, the State's intervention is imperative. "The adequacy of the State's response to extreme phenomena of xenophobia and racism reflects the State's commitment to the principles of human dignity, equality, freedom and democracy; the State should not stand idly by and remain mute in the face of any incident that fosters racism," he adds.
And if this education is lacking at home, he says, it should be found in places where the State has an obligation to put every effort into the comprehensive education and critical thinking of tomorrow's adults, such as schools and universities.
Towards this end, the Commissioner points out, the training courses and seminars in schools that the Office undertakes under the authority of the Commissioner as the Equality and Anti-Discrimination Body and as the National Human Rights Authority are aimed at. These trainings aim to instil a culture of respect for diversity and to combat any form of discriminatory behaviour, treatment or actions towards groups of persons on the basis of their characteristics, it is added.
"Therefore, and in view of our Office's cooperation with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, a meeting will be sought with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth to expand and further intensify these seminars and trainings, to children from primary school onwards, so that when they reach adulthood they will not be driven by feelings of hatred and aversion towards our fellow human beings with different characteristics, but will treat them as equal members of a global society", the Commissioner concludes.
The report is submitted to the Minister of Justice and Public Order and Chief of Police as well as to the Minister of Education and Culture, Sports and Youth for the part of the actions that fall within their competences.
Source: CNA
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