The Council of Europe has acknowledged Cyprus's continued commitment to minority protection while calling for renewed efforts to address challenges in education, inclusion, and combatting discrimination.
In its newly published sixth opinion on Cyprus, the Council of Europe's advisory committee on the Framework Convention for the protection of national minorities praises the country's comprehensive legal and institutional framework safeguarding the rights of people belonging to the Armenian, Latin and Maronite national minorities (defined as "religious groups" in national legislation). It also welcomes the decision to extend the framework convention's application on an article-by-article basis to the Cyprus Roma.
Praise for national and local initiatives
Recognising Cyprus's cultural diversity, the advisory committee commends national and local initiatives that foster intercultural dialogue, inclusion, and respect for diversity. These include awareness-raising campaigns, support for minority-language education, and cultural initiatives helping to preserve the identities of national minorities. Among them are Armenian and Cypriot Maronite Arabic lessons, cultural centres such as the House of the Latins, and co-operation with schools and organisations in Armenia, Greece and Lebanon.
The authorities are also acknowledged for promoting education in and of minority languages, with specific school arrangements designed for each of the three religious groups as well as for the Cyprus Roma, reflecting their respective needs and interests. The advisory committee moreover welcomes Cyprus's National Roma strategic framework 2021-30, describing it as a key policy tool for advancing equality, inclusion, and participation of the Cyprus Roma.
Difficulties remain for Roma and Turkish-speaking Cypriots
At the same time, the advisory committee identifies several areas requiring further attention. For example, Cyprus Roma are still not recognised in the domestic legislation as a specific group to be protected. Similarly, Turkish-speakers and persons affiliating with the "Turkish-Cypriot community" encounter persistent difficulties in using their first language, even though Turkish is one of the two official languages of the Republic.
The advisory committee further encourages the Cypriot authorities to strengthen institutional support for minority protection by empowering the Coordinator of religious groups with a clear mandate, adequate resources, and an extended role covering the Cyprus Roma. Enhancing minority-language education also remains a priority, notably by addressing the shortage of trained Armenian and Cypriot Maronite Arabic teachers, establishing university chairs in these subjects, and increasing the frequency and duration of lessons, especially at the secondary level.
In addition, Cyprus is urged to ensure the right to free self-identification to be in line with the framework convention's requirements. Better data collection is also needed: the authorities should publish without delay the 2021 census results concerning the Cyprus Roma population - disaggregated by ethnic affiliation, religion, and language - and support independent research on Roma culture, history, and traditions.
Training for officials needed
Efforts to combat hate speech and xenophobia should be intensified through comprehensive training for police, prosecutors, and judges, as well as continued public campaigns promoting mutual respect and tolerance. The opinion further recommends full implementation of the National Strategic Framework for the equality, inclusion and participation of Cyprus Roma 2021-30 to ensure equal access to education, housing, healthcare, and social services. Finally, the advisory committee calls on the authorities to promote equal participation by allowing people identifying as Armenian or Maronite to register for the election of their representatives without requiring certification from religious authorities.
The opinion, adopted in July 2025, has been published alongside the authorities' comments.
The Framework Convention for the protection of national minorities is Europe's most comprehensive treaty protecting the rights of persons belonging to national minorities. It is the first legally binding multilateral instrument devoted to the protection of national minorities worldwide, and its implementation is monitored by an advisory committee composed of independent experts. the treaty entered into force on 1 February 1998 and is now in force in 38 states.
Cyprus and the Framework Convention for the protection of national minorities
Framework Convention for the protection of national minorities
The Council of Europe and Cyprus
