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Minority members have certain rights to self-government?

Code:
RED98
Key Area:
Political & Civic Participation
Strand(s):
Equality
30/01/2012 - 12:11
Short Answer

No.

Qualitative Info

Historically, there were only three recognised  minorities in Cyprus, the Armenians, the Latins and the Maronites. Since 2009, the government recognised the Roma as a minority. The Turkish Cypriots, to whom a number of constitutional provisions for power-sharing with the Greek Cypriots apply (but are in suspension since 1964), are not a minority, they are a community with (theoretically) equal rights as the Greek Cypriots.

None of the above groups enjoy any self-governance rights. The Turkish Cypriots withdrew (or were forced to withdraw-depending on whose historical narrative one is reading) from the administration of the Republic in 1963 and did not return. The Armenians, the Latins and the Maronites elect their own representative in Parliament, but this representative has no right to vote, as his/her status is confined to that of an observant. The Roma do not get to elect a representative. None of these groups enjoy any type of self-governance at any level.

Migrant communities are not recognised by the government as national minorities.

Groups affected/interested Ethnic minorities, Religious minorities
Type (R/D) Inter-ethnic, Nationalism
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas Political participation
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