Recognition of same-sex unions in Cyprus

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Cyprus has recognised same-sex unions since 9 December 2015. Legislation to establish civil cohabitations was approved by the Cypriot Parliament on 26 November 2015, and took effect on 9 December upon publication in the country's official gazette.

Civil cohabitation[]

Laws regarding same-sex partnerships in Europe¹
  Marriage
  Civil union
  Limited domestic recognition (cohabitation)
  Limited foreign recognition (residency rights)
  Unrecognized
  Constitution limits marriage to opposite-sex couples
¹ May include recent laws or court decisions that have not yet entered into effect.
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In 2010, the Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary, Lazaros Savvides, indicated that the Cypriot Government would begin examining whether same-sex marriage should be legalised in the country.[1] This was followed in 2013 with an announcement from Interior Minister Eleni Mavrou that her ministry was working on a parliamentary bill to establish civil partnerships.[2] The Cypriot Government subsequently gave its official approval to the draft bill.[3] In March of that year, newly elected President Nicos Anastasiades reaffirmed his support for the bill.[4] In November 2013, the Interior Minister, Socratis Hasikos, confirmed that the bill remained on the government agenda. A draft had been prepared and was sent to other ministries for review, with the intention of holding a parliamentary vote in April 2014,[5] In June 2014, the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, Constantinos Nicolaides, confirmed that the bill had been delayed.[6] Hasikos clarified that a proposed bill would need consensus from all political parties before moving forward. He gave all parties a copy of the bill and asked that they study it in time for a second meeting that same September. Hasikos stressed that he would not hold a vote until he was sure all parties were in favour.[7]

In March 2014, the head of the Orthodox Church in Cyprus, Archbishop Chrysostomos II, signalled his opposition to plans to introduce either civil partnership or marriage rights, urging churches to take a stand against homosexuality and accusing secular governments of "weakening moral integrity" through acknowledging equal rights to homosexuals: "When, for example, governments legalise not only plain civil partnership but ‘homosexual marriage’, the Church must be unequivocal in condemning homosexuality."[8]

On 6 May 2015, the Council of Ministers approved a bill establishing gender-neutral "cohabitation agreements", offering many of the rights of marriage.[9] On 6 June 2015, the ruling Democratic Rally (DISY) party announced its support for the partnership law.[10][11] The bill had its first reading on 18 June 2015.[12] On 1 July 2015, the House of Representatives decided to rename the proposed partnership recognition scheme to "civil cohabitation".[13][14] The second reading was initially scheduled for 9 July, but was postponed until autumn.[15] The bill passed its second and third reading on 26 November 2015 in a 39–12 vote with 3 abstentions.[16][17] The law was signed by President Anastasiades, published in the official gazette on 9 December 2015 and took effect that same day.[18][19][20] The first civil partnership was registered on 29 January 2016 between two women.[21] The first public ceremony was held in Nicosia on 4 March 2016 between Marios Frixou and Fanos Eleftheriades.[22]

The legislation established a partnership scheme known as civil cohabitation,[a] open to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples. This provides civil partners with the same legal rights and benefits as married spouses, with the exception of adoption rights.[23]

Statistics[]

By 18 April 2016, eight same-sex partnerships had been registered in Cyprus.[24][25] By October of the same year, that number had increased to approximately 70 couples.[26]

Civil partnerships are also popular among different-sex couples. As of August 2017, heterosexual couples accounted for about 70% of all partnerships, while same-sex couples made up the remaining 30%.[27]

Public opinion[]

The 2006 Eurobarometer found that only 14% of Cypriots were in favour of same-sex marriage.[28] This was the third lowest in the European Union at the time (only in Latvia and Romania was support lower). The 2015 Eurobarometer found that support had increased to 37%, while 56% were opposed.[29]

A 2014 survey found that 53.3% of Cypriots supported civil unions or partnerships for same-sex couples.[30]

The 2019 Eurobarometer found that 36% of Cypriots thought same-sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe, while 60% were opposed.[31]

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Greek: πολιτική συμβίωση, politikí symvíosi, pronounced [politiˈci simˈviosi]; Turkish: sivil birliktelik, pronounced [siˈvil biɾlicteˈlic]

References[]

  1. ^ Charalambous, Charles (28 February 2010). "Government to look at legalising gay marriage". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  2. ^ Pantelides, Poly (17 January 2013). "Moving towards civil partnerships". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 10 February 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  3. ^ Pantelides, Poly (17 January 2013). "LGBT group hails decision on civil partnerships". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 10 February 2013.
  4. ^ "DISY 'fully backs civil partnerships'". Cyprus Mail. 8 March 2013. Archived from the original on 4 May 2013.
  5. ^ Psillides, Constantinos (19 November 2013). "Civil partnership bill will go ahead". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  6. ^ Psillides, Constantinos (31 May 2014). "Civil partnerships still a long way off". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  7. ^ Psillides, Constantinos (4 July 2014). "Civil partnership bill needs consensus, Hasikos tells MPs". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  8. ^ Anastasiou, Angelos (9 March 2014). "Storm of protest over Archbishop's anti-gay comments". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  9. ^ Psillides, Constantinos (6 May 2015). "Cabinet approves bill on civil partnerships". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  10. ^ "Συνεδρία Πολιτικού Γραφείου Δημοκρατικού Συναγερμού - Απόφαση για Σύμφωνο Συμβίωσης". Democratic Rally. 7 June 2015. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  11. ^ Turner, Katy (6 June 2013). "Gay pride parade held in Nicosia". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  12. ^ Christou, Jean (18 June 2015). "Civil partnerships a 'reckless novelty' Bishop says". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  13. ^ (in Turkish) Temsilciler Meclisinde, sivil birlikte yaşama üzerine bir yasa tasarısı çoğunluk tarafından onaylandı
  14. ^ Psyllides, George (1 July 2015). "House tinkers with civil partnership bill ahead of vote". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  15. ^ Hazou, Elias (9 July 2015). "Civil unions bill must wait after 'backroom moves' to water it down". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  16. ^ Hazou, Elias (26 November 2015). "House passes historic civil partnerships bill". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  17. ^ "Civil unions become law". Cyprus Weekly. 26 November 2015. Archived from the original on 28 May 2016.
  18. ^ "ΕΠΙΣΗΜΗ ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΔΑ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΠΡΙΑΚΗΣ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑΣ ΠΑΡΑΡΤΗΜΑ ΠΡΩΤΟ ΝΟΜΟΘΕΣΙΑ - ΜΕΡΟΣ Ι Αριθμός 4543 Τετάρτη ,9 Δεκεμβρίου 2015: Αριθμός 184(Ι) του 2015 ΝΟΜΟΣ ΠΟΥ ΠΡΟΝΟΕΙ ΓΙΑ ΤΗ ΣΥΝΑΨΗ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΗΣ ΣΥΜΒΙΩΣΗΣ" (PDF). Ministry of Finance of Cyprus. 9 December 2015. pp. 14–32. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  19. ^ "Τέθηκε σε ισχύ η πολιτική συμβίωση στην Κύπρο". Antivirus. 11 December 2015. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  20. ^ "Civil Unions Bill in effect". Cyprus Weekly. 22 December 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  21. ^ Chrysostomou, Annette (20 January 2016). "First civil partnership to be signed, interest grows". Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  22. ^ "Cyprus' first public gay wedding takes aim at prejudices". Associated Press. Yahoo! News. 4 March 2016. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016.
  23. ^ Polydorou, Ioanna (12 July 2012). "Cyprus: Civil Partnership".
  24. ^ "Civil unions bringing change to Cyprus". Cyprus Weekly. 19 April 2016. Archived from the original on 27 April 2016.
  25. ^ Choros, Evgenia (19 April 2016). "Eight Same-Sex Couples Enter Civil Partnership in Cyprus". Greek Reporter. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  26. ^ "Gay Rights Groups Build Alliances to Counter Climate of Fear". Associated Press. Between the Lines. 27 October 2016. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  27. ^ (in Greek) Σύμφωνο συμβίωσης επιλέξαν 159 ετερόφυλα ζευγάρια και 26 ομόφυλα
  28. ^ Eight EU Countries Back Same-Sex Marriage Angus Reid Global Monitor
  29. ^ Special Eurobarometer 437 Archived 17 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  30. ^ Storm of protest over Archbishop’s anti-gay comments
  31. ^ "Eurobarometer on Discrimination 2019: The social acceptance of LGBTI people in the EU". TNS. European Commission. p. 2. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
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