12 February 2025 - Volt's protective shield for people with disabilities and the elderly

Volt, with the bill submitted by its MP, Ms. Alexandra Attalidou together with Mr. Giorgos Koukoumas, AKEL MP, is committed to protecting citizens from all forms of discrimination, including ageism and disability racism. The inclusion of these factors in hate speech legislation is a matter of social justice and human dignity.

 The proposed law to include age and disability in the hate speech law, which is being discussed by the Legal Affairs Committee of the Parliament, presents itself to fill an important legal gap. Disability and age have not had the same protection as other forms of identity, leaving vulnerable groups exposed to discrimination, attacks and social exclusion. International practice, from the UN Declaration of Human Rights, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights to the decisions of the ECHR, recognizes that hate speech against persons with disabilities and the elderly is dangerous and must be criminalized.

 As Volt, we welcome the universal acceptance of the bill we submitted by all the participating bodies, governmental and non-governmental, at today’s meeting of the Legal Affairs Committee. We look forward to its approval by all parties in the plenary session of the House of Representatives.

 An inclusive society is the responsibility of all of us. Volt will continue to fight for a fair, modern and inclusive Cyprus.