The appeal filed by a Muslim resident of Larnaca with the European Court of Human Rights ultimately resulted in a settlement of €5,000, which the Republic of Cyprus must pay as moral damages. At the same time, the Republic of Cyprus committed to repealing the law that criminalizes the participation of women who dance or sing at Muslim celebrations. This was also the reason for the lawsuit, since he himself wanted to organize his daughter’s wedding.
“Under this article, a ‘dancer’ is defined as a prostitute or a woman who dances or sings for pay at such a Muslim celebration. Our client essentially told us, ‘I’m afraid I’ll face criminal prosecution,’ so we took the necessary steps and filed an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights.”
Michalis Kazakos – Attorney
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
According to the newspaper Politis, the Ministry of Justice, following a recommendation from its legal department, submitted a bill to remove it from the Penal Code.
“I have not been informed whether the marriage took place during the time he visited us; he told us that he was afraid of being prosecuted. This is an outdated legal provision, and I do not believe anyone has been prosecuted under it.”
Michalis Kazakos – Attorney
A criminal code that includes other anachronistic and problematic provisions inherited by the Republic of Cyprus from the colonial era.
Watch the report by Nasia Ioannou:
