Filenews 22 February 2022
The minister of justice and public order, Stefi Drakou, focused on the need for a change of culture regarding the rights of the LGBTI+ community in Cyprus, who signed a memorandum of understanding between Cyprus and the UK for the protection and promotion of the rights of LGBTI+ people. The ceremony took place at noon on Tuesday at the Presidential Palace.
The Memorandum was signed online with the UK Minister of Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Amanda Milling, who was accompanied by the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to the United Kingdom, Andreas S. Kakouris, who are in London. Present at the signing of the memorandum, at the Presidential Palace, were the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom in Cyprus, Stephen Lillie, the Advisor to the President of the Republic on issues of Multiculturalism, Acceptance and Respect for Diversity, Costas Gavriilidis, as well as the President of Accept-LGBTI, Nikolas Tryfon.
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 have the same opportunities and enjoy equal rights, without any form of discrimination." It is also stressed that closer cooperation between the two countries at European and commonwealth level is favoured, 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+ Network of Contact Points, he says. In May 2021 they were co-chairs of the IDAHOT+ Forum in London, while on 12 May 2022 they will jointly organize the IDAHOT+ Forum in Nicosia, he added.
In her statement, the Minister of Justice stressed that although Cyprus has made great progress in the area of the rights of the LGBTI+ community, 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" aiming at a diverse and inclusive society, stressed Ms. Drakou, who described the Memorandum as "a step in the right direction".
The Minister of Justice referred to steps taken under the present Government, such as the institutionalization of civil cohabitation, the criminalization of homophobic and transphobic rhetoric, the tightening of criminal acts committed against the LGBTI+ community. "We will continue to support any policy and action aimed at combating discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity or characteristics and promoting the rights of the LGBTI+ community," he added.
Asked about the actions provided for in the Memorandum of Understanding, Ms. Drakou focused on the IDAHOT+ Forum that will be organized next May in Nicosia and on actions that will contribute to the change of mentality in Cyprus. "We certainly have a lot to gain from the UK that has preceded it in this area," he said, adding that he is in constant communication and cooperation with Mr. Tryfonas and Mr. Gavriilidis on these issues.
For her part, Mrs. Milling said the Memorandum of Understanding "cements and formalizes" the active and productive cooperation between Cyprus and the UK regarding the rights of the LGBTI+ community. He added that the two countries share common values and learn from each other, describing Cyprus as a "long-term friend and partner". Mrs. Milling noted that he is looking forward to the co-chairing of the IDAHOT+ Forum in May, and to Cyprus' participation in the Safe to Be conference to be held in June in London.
Mr. Lillie in his statement said that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding is an important moment in the relations between the two countries. He spoke about the good performance of the United Kingdom in safeguarding the rights of LGBTI+ people and about his country's readiness to share its experiences with Cyprus. The UK High Commissioner spoke of the visit of Lord Herbert, the country's Special Envoy for LGBTI+ issues, to Cyprus last November. Many issues that had been discussed at that visit are now included in the Memorandum of Understanding, he said.
Mr. Gavriilidis said that the cooperation of Cyprus with the United Kingdom within the framework of the Council of Europe has existed for two years. The MoU concerns the rights of the LGBTI+ community at the labour level as well, he noted, expressing his belief that Cyprus will get enough know-how from the UK on these issues, particularly in the recognition of LGBTI+ rights by companies. By the end of the year there will be actions in this direction, he added.
Mr. Gavriilidis expressed his satisfaction with the ability of Cyprus as a member of the Commonwealth to offer its history and know-how, despite its small size, in relation to the decriminalization of homosexuality. Asked about the rights of LGBTI+ people in the workplace of Cyprus, he said that the European Commission's Strategy issued in 2020 refers to actions related to the workplace. This year the Council of Europe issued a guide aimed at companies on this issue. Regarding Cyprus, he said that there are statistics for 2012 and 2018, which show that "we still have a long way to go", he concluded.
