20/01/2021 06:56
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe endorsed recently a set of recommendations for the Republic of Cyprus, as part of the implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.
Recommendations for immediate action include a call towards authorities to implement their commitment to include the option of ‘multiple affiliation’ in the 2021 census and ensure that relevant state officials and interviewees themselves are made aware of this option. They also ask that questions on ethnic and religious affiliation remain non mandatory and open ended.
Cyprus authorities are also called to ensure that complaints related to discriminatory treatment are examined by the Ombudsperson’s Office in a reasonable time, and that decisions are enforced by the public authorities.
The ask, moreover, authorities to further increase financial support for teacher training in Armenian and Cypriot Maronite Arabic and support the teaching of Armenian at upper secondary level. They are also called to consider creating a department for the Armenian language at university.
A detailed action plan for the social inclusion of Roma is also among the recommendations.
Other suggestions refer to the right to free self-identification, further support for Greek language programmes for non-Greek-speaking residents and in ensuring that the right to education is guaranteed for all children belonging to national minorities and vulnerable groups such as Roma.
The Resolution was adopted by the Committee of Ministers on January 13, 2021.