The University of Cyprus unequivocally condemns the incident of homophobia and racism that occurred yesterday at the Cyprus University of Technology, noting that university institutions have always been beacons of knowledge, centers of critical thinking and free speech.
“That's why as a university community, we must oppose incidents that disrupt and threaten the work of universities to cultivate consciousnesses of solidarity, mutual respect and inclusion,” reads a statement.
He notes that the attack is a violation of the rights of LGBTI+ people for the right to life, freedom and their personal safety and that the university community must ensure that the values of respect for human dignity and the private life of everyone are respected individual.
It is also stated that the University of Cyprus shows zero tolerance for the use of any form of violence (physical and/or psychological and/or verbal) or threat in the academic field and in society at large while it is committed, through the policies it has adopted, in the promotion and maintenance of a working, educational and learning environment which is free from all forms of discrimination, whether direct or indirect.
The Rector of the University of Cyprus, Professor Tassos Christofidis stated that ” the attack against TEPAK is also an attack against the University of Cyprus” and added that it is expected that the incident in question will be successful management by the competent bodies of the state, in order to ensure the elimination of incidents of homophobia and racism.
