Twenty-six diplomatic missions in Cyprus have united behind a joint statement for IDAHOBIT 2026, warning of a global rollback on LGBTQI+ rights and calling for Cyprus to press ahead with a national equality strategy.
The statement, issued Friday by the Cyprus Chapter of Diplomats for Equality (D4E), said Pride marches remain essential platforms for dialogue, solidarity, and the affirmation of universal human rights — and expressed alarm at bans and obstruction of such events in several countries. The missions warned that efforts to restrict freedom of expression, limit inclusive education, and constrain civil society organisations have intensified across multiple regions.
The signatories welcomed Cyprus’s seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council for 2025–2027 and its current presidency of the Council of the European Union, calling for sustained leadership on equality and inclusion. They urged the adoption of a National LGBTQIA+ Strategy, which the statement said was in its final stages.
The missions praised the work of LGBTQI+ civil society organisations across Cyprus — including Accept – LGBTI Cyprus, Queer Cyprus Association, Rainbow Families Cyprus, Queer Wave, Queer Collective, university LGBTQ+ clubs, and the Cypriot LGBTQ+ diaspora — and called on employers to adopt equality-driven workplace policies and diversity training.
The D4E network said it would march in Nicosia alongside local communities on May 17 and June 6 as part of Cyprus Pride Month 2026.
The statement was signed by 26 missions, among them the Australian High Commission, the British High Commission, the High Commission of Canada, and the embassies of France, Greece, Ireland, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as the European Commission Representation in Cyprus and the Office of the European Parliament in Cyprus.