The European Commission highlighted the topic of “Advancing LGBTI Rights” at a seminar organised by the EU Infopoint in cooperation with Queer Cyprus on 26 June  at the Journalists’ Association, Nicosia. The seminar hosted keynote speaker, Mr. Kerem Dikmen, practicing lawyer on LGBTI cases.

The event aimed to bring together journalists, NGO representatives, decision makers and practitioners in the field to explore the topic of advancing LGBTI rights. After the opening speech by Ms.Pelin Maneoğlu, Mr.Kerem Dikmen shared his experiences and insights and provide recommendations. 

As part of the EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, the European Commission funded the “Unspoken” project which aimed to achieve social change by combating discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation and improving levels of media coverage and public debate. More information can be found at Unspoken: Creating Dialogue on LGBTI Rights in the Turkish Cypriot Community is a 2-year project funded by the European Union under the Cypriot Civil Society in Action program and implemented by Cyprus Community Media Centre - CCMC in cooperation with Queer Cyprus Association and the Thomson Foundation.Unspoken: Creating Dialogue on LGBTI Rights in the Turkish Cypriot Community is a 2-year project funded by the European Union under the Cypriot Civil Society in Action program and implemented by Cyprus Community Media Centre - CCMC in cooperation with Queer Cyprus Association and the Thomson Foundation https://www.facebook.com/unspoken.konusulmayan/. Discrimination against LGBTI people goes against the fundamental values of the EU and as long as it is a problem, the EU won’t stop working to end it.