Cyprus Overview

Although longstanding political divisions remain in Cyprus, there is healthy respect in law and practice for fundamental freedoms. Civil society organisations operate freely, the right to protest is well respected and the media is generally free. The political division of the island of Cyprus restricts the movement of journalists and there have been isolated cases when civil society leaders have been arrested and protests disrupted by the police. In recent years, the handling of the refugee crisis by European leaders has had negative consequences, as civil society organisations draw attention to a worrying rise in intolerance and racism within Cypriot society.