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On the need for culture change in Cyprus,regarding the rights of the LGBTI+ community in Cyprus was the focus of Justice and Public Order Minister Stefi Drakou, who signed a memorandum of understanding between Cyprus and the UK to protect and promote rights for LGBTI+ people. The ceremony took place at noon on Tuesday at the Presidential Palace.
The memorandum was signed online with the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Amanda Milling, who was accompanied by the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to the UK, Andreas S. Kakouris, who are in London. Present at the signing of the Memorandum, at the Presidential Palace, were the UK High Commissioner to Cyprus, Stephen Lilly, the President's Adviser on Multiculturalism, Acceptance and Respect for Diversity, Costas Gavrielides, and the President of Accept-LOATI, Nicolas Tryphon.
According to a joint statement released by the Ministry of Justice, the memorandum of understanding "aims to promote and build an inclusive society where LGBTI+ people will have equal opportunities and enjoy equal rights, without any form of discrimination". It is also stressed that it promotes closer cooperation between the two countries at European and community level, as well as the benefits of LGBTI+ diversity and equality in the workplace.
The governments of the two countries are co-chairs of the Council of Europe's LGBTI+ Contact Point Network, it said. In May 2021 they co-chaired the IDAHOT+ Forum in London, while on 12 May 2022 they will jointly organise the IDAHOT+ Forum in Nicosia, it added.
In her statement, the Justice Minister stressed that although Cyprus has made great progress in the area of LGBTI+ community rights, however, more work needs to be done. "We do not necessarily need new laws, but a change of culture that can be achieved through efforts and actions" towards a diverse and inclusive society, Drakou said, describing the Memorandum as a "step in the right direction".
The Minister of Justice referred to steps taken under the current government, such as the institutionalisation of civil partnerships, the criminalisation of homophobic and transphobic rhetoric, the tightening of criminal acts committed against the LGBTI+ community. "We will continue to support all policies and actions aimed at combating discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or characteristics and promoting the rights of the LGBTI+ community," he added.
Asked about the actions foreseen in the Memorandum of Understanding, Drakou focused on the IDAHOT+ Forum to be held next May in Nicosia and on actions that will contribute to changing attitudes in Cyprus. "We certainly have a lot to gain from the UK which has led the way in this area," she said, adding that she is in constant communication and cooperation with Mr Tryphon and Mr Gavriilides on these issues.
For her part, Ms Milling[/B] said the MoU "cements and formalises" the active and productive cooperation between Cyprus and the UK on LGBTI+ community rights. He added that the two countries share common values and learn from each other, describing Cyprus as a "long-standing friend and partner". Milling noted that she is looking forward to co-chairing the IDAHOT+ Forum in May, and to Cyprus' participation in the Safe to Be conference to be held in London in June.
Lilly said in his statement that the signing of the MoU is a significant moment in the relations between the two countries. He spoke of the UK's good performance in securing the rights of LGBT+ people and of his country's readiness to share its experiences with Cyprus. The UK High Commissioner referred to the visit of Lord Herbert, the UK's Special Envoy on LGBTI+ issues, to Cyprus last November. Many issues that were discussed during that visit are now included in the Memorandum of Understanding, he said.
Gavrielides said that Cyprus' cooperation with the UK in the framework of the Council of Europe has been in place for two years. The MoU is about the rights of the LGBTI+ community and in the workplace, he noted, expressing confidence that Cyprus will get a lot of expertise from the UK on these issues, particularly on the recognition of LGBTI+ rights by companies. By the end of the year there will be actions in this direction, he added.
Gavrielides welcomed Cyprus' ability as a member of the Commonwealth to offer its history and expertise, despite its small size, in relation to the decriminalisation of homosexuality. Asked about the rights of LGBTI+ people in the workplace in Cyprus, he said that the European Commission's 2020 Strategy made reference to workplace actions. This year the Council of Europe issued a guide addressed to companies on this issue. As for Cyprus, he said that there are statistics for 2012 and 2018, which show that "we still have a long way to go."
Source: CNA
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