Description
The Cyprus population, composition and history have created the conditions for the development of hate speech/behaviour/crimes. The project aims to deal with manifestations of such behaviour from a historical and a contemporary perspective through a mixed-method which at the same time analyses the legal framework of such manifestations and proposes amendments and policy suggestions. In order to address the problem at the earliest stage possible, we aim to build an educational tool for adolescents involving key stakeholders such as the media, youth organisations, teachers, bloggers, advocates of minority groups in a series of training sessions. The dissemination of the project will include video spots, a radio show, an awareness campaign and a conference. The project will primarily benefit the social groups which are victims of this discriminatory behaviour, i.e. Turkish Cypriots, Immigrants, LGBT’s. The project targets young adolescents aiming in the long term, at a society free from discrimination on account of race, sexual orientation or ethnic origin.
Summary of project results
• “Report on Hate Speech and Crimes in Cyprus” in Greek and Turkish comprising of Bibliographical Research, the Legal Framework Report on “Hate Speech and Crimes in Cyprus” and the Survey Poll Report. It forms a unique publication on the issue at hand and addresses the issue of Hate Speech and Crimes in Cyprus from diverse perspectives including both Greek and Turkish Cypriot data and facts to substantiate the arguments put forth. • 3 anti-discrimination video spots were produced and posted in all the media (internet, social media, webpage). Each of these spots addressed the three social groups affected by hate speech/behaviour/crimes as undertaken in the project; Turkish Cypriots, immigrants, LGBTs. • 7 Focus groups with experts, stakeholders and young people were carried out. The bicommunal meetings had a significant impact on participants as young people from both communities came together in an open dialogue and discussion of the issue. The results of the focus groups were codified and served as valuable guidelines for the design of the educational tool. • The educational tool is available for free online and serves to promote tolerance, acceptance of diversity, and mutual respect of the two communities (Greek and Turkish Cypriot). The tool acquires additional significance in view of the declared priority goal set by the government this year to combat hate crimes. 14 Videos were produced with the contribution of young people from both communities. Several training workshops were provided to institutions and young people in order to inform them on the use and content of the educational tool. • Special Website (in Greek and Turkish) for dissemination of actions. All project news were posted, every event and planned activities were published and where all project results were uploaded. •Special Issue of the promoter’s Newsletter and 5 other Issues, 2 Radio Show broadcasts for the publicity of the project and the final event (Conference), the issue of an Informational leaflet including a summary of the project’s activities, the ONLINE MEDIA Awareness Raising CAMPAIGN. Promotional materials were produced (pads, bookmarks, pens, files) and distributed to conference participants, the concluding event of the project. The Conference brought together experts and interested parties who presented their views and expert opinions on the theme of the conference: Hate Speech and Crimes in Cyprus: the phenomenon and ways to combat it.
Summary of bilateral results