Cyprus’s only university rights observatory marks second year with five new studies

Local human rightsPaphosTop Newsuniversities Cyprus’s only university rights observatory marks second year with five new studies Paratiritirio 3 1536x864 Relevant News Cyprus’s only university rights observatory marks second year with five new studies 25 August 2026 Tremithousa parents protest today over plan to remove school’s prefab classroom 25 August 2026 Antonio Costa to visit Cyprus 4 September as EU budget tops agenda 25 August 2026 Dora Christodoulou 25 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The Human Rights Observatory at Neapolis University Paphos has entered its second year of operation, marking the milestone with a new round of research, public awareness work and public engagement. Founded in 2024 and based in the university’s Department of History, Politics and International Studies, it is the only university observatory in Cyprus dedicated exclusively to human rights. Its work focuses on three areas: academic research, student education, and engagement in public debate. In an interview with Phileleftheros, Dr Eleni Gavriel, the Observatory’s head and a lecturer in international economic law and human rights at Neapolis University Paphos, said the initiative aims to systematically monitor and evaluate how human rights are implemented in the Republic of Cyprus. She said the Observatory’s work is not purely academic but social, describing it as a bridge between academic research and society that provides open-access, evidence-based knowledge. The goal, she said, is for that knowledge to feed public debate and give institutions, bodies and citizens reliable tools on human rights. During the 2024/25 academic year, students, graduates and early-career researchers at the Observatory wrote and published five thematic studies, mapping Cyprus’s legislative framework for rights protection, analysing selected European Court of Human Rights rulings, and examining the rights of the LGBTQI+ community and people with disabilities. This work is a first step in mapping the human rights landscape in Cyprus, Gavriel said, and gives reliable tools to students, professionals and citizens. The Observatory also ran awareness events that left a mark on the university community, she said. The “Wall of Silence” gave the university community a space to anonymously share incidents of human rights violations, while a scientific symposium titled “Hate Speech, Disinformation & LGBTQI+ Visibility,” involving academics, organisations and social bodies, opened a live discussion on hate speech and its impact on Cypriot society. The Observatory has also published media commentary on developments including European Court of Human Rights rulings involving Cyprus, challenges in securing LGBTQI+ rights, and institutional gaps in protecting victims of sexual violence. Gavriel said the Observatory does not want to stay confined to academic circles, and wants to open the discussion to wider society and help build a culture of protecting and promoting human rights. Its work is closely tied to Neapolis University’s study programmes, she said. It links to the undergraduate Law programme and the undergraduate International Relations and Security programme. It also connects to the postgraduate programmes in International Relations, Strategy and Security, and European Politics and Governance, helping students learn to link theory with practice and develop research skills. Looking ahead, the Observatory aims to strengthen its institutional presence and deepen its research activity. For the new academic year, Gavriel said it plans to publish new scientific studies, further develop partnerships with human rights bodies in Cyprus and abroad, and organise further events. Gavriel described the Observatory as a living space for research, dialogue and social engagement, aiming to contribute substantially to shaping an environment of respect for human rights, in line with the fundamental principles of the rule of law and democracy. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Tremithousa parents protest today over plan to remove school’s prefab classroom Antonio Costa to visit Cyprus 4 September as EU budget tops agenda Cyprus extends lifeguard hours, reviews short-term contracts after drownings Investigators await forensic clues from shell casings, stolen car in Ayia Napa murder attempt Homeless man arrested in Larnaca after attacking police officer during welfare check Police investigate speed of motorcyclist killed in Larnaca crash Four masked suspects steal €4,000 from 10 Paphos shops Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.