Government eases protest law

The Cypriot government has agreed to significantly ease the controversial law on public assemblies, which strengthened control over protests and drew criticism from the OSCE and human rights groups. The amendment package, prepared by MP Irini Charalambidou, was supported by Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis. Article-by-article discussion is expected to begin in parliament in early January 2026.

The current law allowed police to disperse demonstrations based on broad definitions, required notification for gatherings of 20 or more people, and effectively banned wearing masks at protests. After the July riot at the DISY office in Nicosia and a harsh OSCE report, the authorities faced increasing pressure to revise the most contentious provisions.

Key changes include clarifying mask-wearing rules (police will be allowed to demand removal only if there is evidence of violence or a real threat) and explicitly establishing that protest organizers are not automatically liable for the actions of third parties. The removal of the 20-person threshold for mandatory protest notification is also under discussion.

Against this backdrop, the AKEL party continues to call for the law’s full repeal, while the parliamentary committee leans toward a substantial overhaul rather than completely scrapping it.