European Report: Common forms of hate speech ONLINE (Social media) and OFFLINE - National Report (Cyprus)

Abstract

According to our research, hate speech in Cyprus revolves around five axes: a) Race and ethnicity b) Physical appearance c) The socio-economic status d) Political orientation Race and ethnicity are commonly targeted traits; they mostly rely on stereotyped notions of superiority and tend to be cultivated in the family environment. More recently, stereotyped discourses about immigrants enjoying benefits and dismantling national and social cohesion -stemming primarily from far-right groups- tend to consolidate prejudiced and xenophobic attitudes. The study (both in the focus groups and the survey) designated an important aspect of hate speech, which is often neglected. The physical appearance of young people constitutes a fertile ground of hate speech. Apparently, young people are being harassed and bullied because their appearance does not conform to well-established notions of accepted looks. The third axis of hate speech found in the Cypriot landscape revolves around discriminatory and negative discourses targeting the socio-economic status of a person. Interestingly enough, the survey results showed that students of higher income are more likely to express hate speech against others. Finally, a common target of hate speech is the political orientation of a person. In the Cypriot environment this is partly linked to the polarization of the society because of the Cyprus issue and its potential resolution, and also associated with a more widespread condition where extremists and hatemongers have the opportunity to harass and attack people of different views, especially online. Regarding the punishment and criminalization of hate speech, young people do not hold a strong opinion. Although the majority believes that hate speech should be severely punished, yet the majority of those who have used hate speech claim to have done so because they were expressing their beliefs freely.