The court ordered police to protect LGBT+

A precedent-setting court decision has been issued in Northern Cyprus regarding hate speech against the LGBT+ community. On September 30, 2025, Judge Zhale Dizdarli Ergyuden ruled that complaints from the association “Queer Cyprus” and human rights activist Erman Dolmaci were valid, and ordered police authorities to take operational measures when addressing cases related to intolerant statements.

The case concerns social media posts made in 2021 in the context of a Pride march: the complaints indicated that the comments contained insults, humiliation, and calls for hostility, but the police did not conduct adequate investigations. The court recognized that such inaction constitutes a violation of the right to protection from discrimination.

According to the ruling, the police are required to respond to complaints of hate speech promptly and effectively, to prevent impunity, and to issue reports on the progress of investigations.

The plaintiffs’ side, including Erman Dolmaci, welcomed the decision as an important signal: “LGBT+ people on this island are not alone,” he noted, emphasizing that this court ruling strengthens trust in the legal system and shows that the state is responsible for protecting vulnerable groups.

The ruling is also seen as part of the broader context of combating discrimination in Northern Cyprus. Association reports have already noted that although local laws in the northern part of Cyprus formally prohibit statements based on sexual orientation and gender identity (e.g., Penal Legislation Ch. 154, §151(f), §152(g), §172), actual enforcement of these provisions has been extremely rare.

Furthermore, this case is viewed as part of pressure from non-governmental organizations on state structures to turn declarative protective norms into enforceable practice. In jurisprudence and activist circles, it is emphasized: having a law is not enough — it must function in practice.

This court decision promises to set a precedent for future cases of discriminatory speech, especially given the growth of digital communication and social media. The next step is to monitor how law enforcement and judicial authorities in Northern Cyprus begin to apply the ruling in practice.