NICOSIA, Cyprus – Citizens gathered outside the offices of KISA on Monday to denounce a bombing attack against the anti-racist organization. The incident took place on January 5, causing damage to the property’s glass panels and leaving the organization’s archives in ruins. As a result, there have been calls for a thorough police investigation into the attack.
The demonstration was organized by the Alliance Against the Far Right, Fascism, and Racism. Former Minister and Member of the European Parliament for AKEL, Neoklis Sylikiotis, addressed the crowd, emphasizing AKEL’s commitment as the largest political entity within the Alliance. He stated, “We strongly condemn this violent attack on KISA’s offices and stand in solidarity with the organization.”
Orestis Matsas, a member of the coordinating committee of the Alliance, urged the police to thoroughly investigate the incident and find the culprits for exemplary punishment. Leandros Savvides, speaking on behalf of KISA, stated, “We are willing to cooperate with all organizations to address migration, asylum, and human rights issues. The attack on our offices will not deter us from our commitment to promoting equality and justice.”
KISA’s offices have been sealed and are set to undergo repairs. In a statement, KISA noted that “the state authorities are fully responsible, having left a historic human rights protection organization at the mercy of criminal elements acting with racist and nationalist motives.” KISA president Doros Polykarpou also revealed that he had received numerous death threats for his work on immigration and anti-racism, for which he filed complaints with the police.
The attack prompted a condemnation by Amnesty International, which pointed out the rise in racist violence in Cyprus and raised alarms over the safety of human rights defenders in the country. Incidents of racist violence in 2023 were also reported, highlighting the negative consequences of the growing hostility towards refugees and migrants in the country.
In light of these developments, there have been calls for a reconfiguration of the Republic’s integration policies to ensure the safety and security of migrants and refugees. The attack on KISA’s offices has sparked concerns over the protection of human rights organizations and individuals advocating for the rights of marginalized communities in Cyprus. However, authorities remain under pressure to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the safety of human rights defenders.