Controversy Over Arrests at Cyprus Independence Day Rally

Nicosia, Cyprus - October 1, 2024

On Cyprus Independence Day, a peaceful rally advocating for the preservation of the Republic of Cyprus ended in controversy as several young protesters were detained for displaying a banner supporting the sovereignty of the Cypriot state. The arrests have sparked widespread debate over freedom of expression and the right to protest.

Member of Parliament Kostis Efstathiou publicly condemned the detentions, questioning the grounds on which the arrests were made. “Who was offended by the message that preserving the Republic of Cyprus is the solution to the problem of occupation? Since when is freedom of expression a criminal offense?” Efstathiou said, expressing concern about the arrests of young protesters who had only “a banner as their ‘weapon.’”

Efstathiou further criticized the arrests, noting that advocating for the protection of constitutionally guaranteed rights should not constitute a crime. The incident has prompted calls for a review of the charges, with human rights advocates and political figures alike voicing concerns about the state’s approach to peaceful expression on Cyprus’s national day.