Neapolis University Human Rights Observatory begins second year

Paphos, Cyprus. The Human Rights Observatory at Neapolis University Paphos has begun its second year of operation with new research, public awareness initiatives and public engagement activities.

Founded in 2024 within the university’s Department of History, Politics and International Studies, the Observatory is the only university observatory in Cyprus dedicated exclusively to human rights.

Research and monitoring

The Observatory focuses on academic research, student education and participation in public debate. Its head, Dr Eleni Gavriel, lecturer in international economic law and human rights at Neapolis University Paphos, said it aims to systematically monitor and assess the implementation of human rights in the Republic of Cyprus.

Speaking to Phileleftheros, Gavriel said the Observatory serves as a bridge between academic research and society by providing open-access, evidence-based knowledge intended to support public debate and provide institutions, bodies and citizens with reliable human rights resources.

During the 2024/25 academic year, students, graduates and early-career researchers published five thematic studies. The studies mapped Cyprus’s legislative framework for rights protection, analysed selected European Court of Human Rights rulings and examined the rights of the LGBTQI+ community and people with disabilities.

Gavriel said the work represents an initial step towards mapping Cyprus’s human rights landscape and offers tools for students, professionals and citizens.

Awareness activities

The Observatory also organised awareness events for the university community. The “Wall of Silence” allowed participants to anonymously share incidents of human rights violations.

A scientific symposium, titled “Hate Speech, Disinformation & LGBTQI+ Visibility,” brought together academics, organisations and social bodies to discuss hate speech and its effects on Cypriot society.

The Observatory has also published media commentary on developments including European Court of Human Rights rulings involving Cyprus, challenges in securing LGBTQI+ rights and institutional gaps in the protection of victims of sexual violence.

Academic links and future plans

The Observatory’s activities are linked to Neapolis University’s undergraduate Law programme and International Relations and Security programme, as well as postgraduate programmes in International Relations, Strategy and Security, and European Politics and Governance.

Gavriel said the links help students connect theory with practice and develop research skills.

For the new academic year, the Observatory plans to publish further scientific studies, expand partnerships with human rights bodies in Cyprus and abroad, and organise additional events.