Hate crime — Αστυνομία Κύπρου · Cyprus

Direct answer

Violence, threats or damage motivated by origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability is a hate crime with higher penalties, and it is under-reported — which is why reporting matters. Αστυνομία Κύπρου — αστυνομικός σταθμός / 112 (112): say explicitly that you believe the motive was hate, and ask for it to be recorded as such. Επίτροπος Διοικήσεως — Αρχή Ισότητας (22 405500) — the equality body — supports victims, monitors how the police handle it and can take a discrimination case in parallel. Νομική Αρωγή (Δικαστήριο) / Παγκύπριος Δικηγορικός Σύλλογος (cyprusbarassociation.org) offers free support, also if you decide not to report.

Call firstΑστυνομία Κύπρου — αστυνομικός σταθμός / 112

Report toΕπίτροπος Διοικήσεως — Αρχή Ισότητας

If that failsΝομική Αρωγή (Δικαστήριο) / Παγκύπριος Δικηγορικός Σύλλογος

🗣️ What to say

"On [date] at [place] I was [attacked / threatened / insulted] by [description]. They said [words] which show it was because of my [origin / religion / orientation / …]. Witnesses: [names]. I want this recorded as a hate crime."

🪜 Step by step

Safety and medical careGet out of the situation; see a doctor and ask for injuries to be documented.
EvidencePhotos, the exact words used, witnesses' contacts, camera locations nearby.
Report to Αστυνομία Κύπρου — αστυνομικός σταθμός / 112Use the words "hate crime" or "bias motive". Ask for a copy of the report and the case number.
Tell Επίτροπος Διοικήσεως — Αρχή ΙσότηταςEquality bodies track these cases, support victims, and can intervene if the police do not take it seriously.
Support: Νομική Αρωγή (Δικαστήριο) / Παγκύπριος Δικηγορικός ΣύλλογοςCounselling, help with the process, compensation claims — free.

📇 All contacts

Αστυνομία Κύπρου — αστυνομικός σταθμός / 112Report at any police stationBurglary, theft, threats📞 112 🔗 www.police.gov.cy

Επίτροπος Διοικήσεως — Αρχή ΙσότηταςDiscrimination at work, housing, servicesFor discrimination📞 22 405500 🔗 www.ombudsman.gov.cy

Νομική Αρωγή (Δικαστήριο) / Παγκύπριος Δικηγορικός ΣύλλογοςFree lawyer for low incomesWhen you cannot afford a lawyer🔗 www.cyprusbarassociation.org

Επίτροπος Διοικήσεως και Προστασίας Ανθρωπίνων ΔικαιωμάτωνComplaints about public services, freeWhen the administration does not answer or acts unfairly📞 22 405500 🔗 www.ombudsman.gov.cy

❓ Frequently asked

The police did not record the motive

Ask in writing for the motive to be added; involve Επίτροπος Διοικήσεως — Αρχή Ισότητας. Recording the bias motive matters for the charge and for statistics.

It was online

Hate speech online is prosecutable; save screenshots with URLs and report to the platform and the police (see the online-harassment page).

I do not want to report but need help

Νομική Αρωγή (Δικαστήριο) / Παγκύπριος Δικηγορικός Σύλλογος and community organisations support you without a report. Some countries have third-party reporting so the incident is counted anonymously.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

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