Rise in Homophobic Attacks Alarms Community
In a concerning trend, Accept LGBTI Cyprus has reported a series of homophobic attacks within a short span of ten days. The non-profit organization is raising awareness about the resilience of the queer community in the face of such adversity, while also sounding the alarm on the escalation of hate crimes linked to increased hate speech and a lack of accountability.
The latest incident occurred on a quiet Sunday night in Nicosia. A member of the LGBTQIA+ community became the target of a hate crime when unidentified individuals launched a verbal assault and threw fireworks. Accept secretary Stephanos Evangelides shared with AlphaNews that the victim has taken proactive steps by filing a police complaint and capturing video evidence of the assailants as they fled, which included a clear view of their vehicle’s licence plate.
Evangelides underscored the critical need to address these attacks head-on, pointing out that ignoring them is not an option. The swift response by law enforcement, which involved escorting the victim to safety and then home, was a silver lining in an otherwise dark situation. However, the NGO representative expressed deep concern over the potential escalation of violence against LGBTQIA+ individuals, cautioning that unchecked aggression could lead to more severe consequences.
The recent attack began with two hooded individuals harassing a lone homosexual person at night, escalating to throwing dangerous fireworks. The situation intensified when four individuals, including the initial attackers, approached aggressively while the victim was on the call with the police. Following police advice, the victim took refuge in a nearby bar until the assailants dispersed and police arrived to provide safe passage home.
Accept LGBTI Cyprus commended the courage and quick thinking of the community member involved, highlighting that such actions help expose the cowardice of those who perpetrate hate crimes. The organization stands in solidarity with victims and emphasizes that human rights transcend personal opinion, urging for a society where diversity is respected and protected.
