Queer Cyprus Association held the sixth and last thematic discussion event under the Helix Project, implemented by Queer Cyprus Association and financed under the European Union Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community at the Yfantourgeio – The Workplace under the theme: “Gender-Based Violence and Hate Crimes: Legal Reform and Intersectionality”.
The event brought together community members from across the divide – including Turkish Cypriots, Greek Cypriots, migrants, and a participant from the UK – to explore the structural and institutional causes of gender-based violence and hate crimes against LGBTI+ individuals. Participants highlighted the ongoing impact of lack of inclusive education, insufficient legal protections, and institutional biases both in the northern and southern parts of the island.
Migrant voices shared powerful testimonies on how refugee and immigration status can further restrict access to justice for LGBTI+ individuals. It was noted that existing legal frameworks do not adequately address intersectional discrimination and therefore fail to protect those facing multiple layers of marginalization.
While opinions varied on the effectiveness of punitive legal measures, there was consensus on the importance of combining legal accountability with preventative education, community-based solutions, and long-term reform. Participants also discussed the ways in which religious and nationalist discourses contribute to a culture that indirectly legitimizes violence. While the law may not change beliefs, it can intervene through hate speech legislation and institutional accountability.
The potential of restorative justice was also highlighted as a survivor-centered approach to healing, so long as it complements rather than replaces formal justice mechanisms. Ongoing distrust in law enforcement and judicial systems was expressed from both communities, underscoring the need for inclusive training, anti-bias policies, and external accountability frameworks.
The event also addressed the role of international human rights mechanisms, including the European Court of Human Rights, UN conventions, and the use of shadow reporting to pressure local authorities.
Concluding the discussion, participants emphasized the importance of not relying solely on legal reform, but also investing in grassroots strategies, safe spaces, and processes that center LGBTI+ agency and leadership. The event closed with a call for LGBTI+ individuals to be active agents in decision-making, not merely subjects of representation.
This sixth event was part of a series of six thematic discussions organized under the Helix Project in collaboration with ACCEPT LGBTI and Queer Collective. The series aimed to contribute to the development of common advocacy grounds among queer communities across Cyprus.
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