US pushes for equal religious access across Cyprus

Representatives of the U.S. Embassy met with officials from the Ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Justice of the Republic of Cyprus to discuss religious freedom issues, including promoting greater access to religious sites on both sides of the "Green Line" and reducing discrimination against minority religious communities, according to the U.S. State Department's 2023 report on religious freedoms in Cyprus.

The report includes information from a representative of the Church of Cyprus stating that access to certain Orthodox religious sites in the occupied areas was very limited, with many converted into stables, mosques, or used for other purposes.

In the government-controlled areas, visitors could only access five of the 19 mosques designated as cultural heritage sites, as well as five other mosques not designated as such.

The Antiquities Department continued to restrict regular access to the Hala Sultan Mosque, one of ten functioning mosques, to only two of the five daily prayer times, though extended access was usually granted during Ramadan and at the imam's request.

Of the ten mosques in operation, nine were available for all five daily prayers, and nine had the necessary facilities for ablution. One mosque had facilities for ablution but was not open for all five prayers, and one was open for all five prayers but lacked facilities for ablution.

The report also mentions the Jewish community's request for permission to slaughter animals for food production in accordance with Mosaic Law.

According to the report, representatives of the Jewish community stated that the Department of Veterinary Services continued to deny exemptions for stunning animals before slaughter, following a 2019 decision to discontinue exemptions for religious slaughter. The Jewish community reported being able to import kosher meat from other EU countries, though at significantly higher costs than if it were locally available.

A spokesman for the Muslim community said the community had no difficulties accessing halal meat.

In December, a police spokesman confirmed that on 3 November, the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus had arrested two Iranians on suspicion of planning attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets in Cyprus.

The report also mentions the work of the Technical Committee for Cultural Heritage. In September, the committee completed maintenance of the mosque in Kalo Chorio in Larnaca District, and in May, the restoration of the mosque in the village of Maroni in the same district.

The Department of Antiquities continued the restoration of the Limassol Grand Mosque.

The report states that religious minority groups continued to report social pressure to participate in public Greek Orthodox religious ceremonies, such as weddings and baptisms. Orthodox Christians also reported facing ostracism from their community if they converted to another religion.

Regarding the occupied territories, the report states that the "Foreign Ministry" approved 128 of the 185 requests for Greek Cypriot religious ceremonies between January and December, compared to 107 of the 173 requests in the same period in 2022.

It also notes that representatives of the Greek Cypriot community said the "police" continued to monitor church services and carry out identity checks of participants. During functions where permission was sought, the "police" checked and photographed the identity cards of all participants.

A spokesman for the Church of Cyprus reported little or no access to some Orthodox religious sites, with many converted into stables, mosques, or used for other purposes. The spokesman also said Greek Orthodox cemeteries in the North were in a dilapidated state, with crosses and other religious symbols smashed and removed, and some cemeteries completely razed. Of the roughly 500 cemeteries, only three to five were in good condition.

In November, Rabbi Chaim Hillel Azimov, who led a small Jewish community in the occupied territories, left Cyprus with his family, citing growing hostility, including from Turkish Cypriot "officials" towards the Jewish community following the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on 7 October.

The Turkish-speaking Protestant Union reported that Turkish Cypriots who converted to other religions often experienced social pressure, verbal abuse, insults, public criticism, and workplace discrimination.

The report notes that the Government of the Republic of Cyprus is the only internationally recognised government on the island. It refers to the occupied territories, saying that since 1974, the northern part of Cyprus has been "administered by Turkish Cypriots." It also notes that the "TRNC," as it refers to the pseudo-state, is not recognised by the US or any other country except Turkey. It states that a significant number of Turkish troops remain "in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots" and that this report describes developments in both communities.

[Information sourced from CNA]