Hate speech on the internet is spiraling out of control, with citizens facing insults, threats, and attacks on a daily basis. This phenomenon is also on the rise in Cyprus, even as the country lags behind the rest of Europe in adopting effective regulatory measures.

“In Cyprus, because there has been no regulation of the issue at all, even though there is a law prohibiting hate speech as it constitutes a criminal offense.”
_{Aris Konstantinidis – Associate Professor of International Law, University of Cyprus}

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The issue was also discussed yesterday by the House of Representatives’ Human Rights Committee, and significant regulatory and legal gaps were highlighted.

“The Committee now has a clearer picture of the potential legislative changes that are required, taking into account developments at the European level.”
_{Christos Christofides – Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights}

Mr. Konstantinidis’s proposal to the Human Rights Committee was to clarify the definition of hate speech so that it is clear which cases are brought before the courts and which are addressed through other measures. He also proposed monitoring abusive and hateful comments on social media, so that they are not presented as an acceptable form of free speech.

“There are, therefore, international standards that can be applied and followed in Cyprus to limit, if not fully address, this phenomenon.”
_{Aris Konstantinidis – Associate Professor of International Law, University of Cyprus}

Just last week, the broadcasting authority was compelled to implement the EU regulation on curbing hate speech by establishing a system of “trusted flaggers” who will identify and report instances of hate speech.

“They will point out and state that at such-and-such a time, such-and-such a user posted this comment, which for these reasons constitutes hate speech, and they will call on the platform to remove it within 24 hours.”
_{Aris Konstantinidis – Associate Professor of International Law, University of Cyprus}

At yesterday’s Committee meeting, the police appeared to accept the proposal to create a digital platform through which complainants will be able to track the progress of their cases and stay informed.

Watch Eleni Michael’s report: