On the 27th of January 2014, the Decriminalisation of Homosexuality Bill passed the Parliament of the northern part of Cyprus. The northern part of Cyprus was the last territory in Europe where homosexuality was still a crime.
With the adoption of the bill, Articles 171 and 173 of the Criminal Code, foreseeing in five years’ imprisonment for homosexual acts, and three years’ imprisonment for ‘attempts to commit [these] crimes’, are abolished.
Moreover, the bill strengthens the protection of LGBT people by including a ban on hate speech against LGBT people. Further, the bill bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in the provision of public services.
