The Cypriot Supreme Constitutional Court ruling restoring KISA’s right to operate freely

Press release

Brussels, 30 October 2025 – The European Network Against Racism welcomes the landmark decision of the Supreme Constitutional Court of the Republic of Cyprus, which ruled the 2020 deregistration of KISA – Action for Equality, Support, Antiracism – unlawful.

The Court overturned the previous ruling of the Administrative Court and affirmed the fundamental principles of the protection of human rights, in particular the rights to freedom of association, assembly and expression as essential pillars of any democratic society. ENAR stands in full solidarity with KISA, one of our long-standing members, which has faced years of unjust administrative and political pressure for its vital anti-racist and human rights work.

In 2024, ENAR expressed its solidarity following the violent attack on KISA’s offices and condemned the shrinking civic space in Cyprus. Today’s Supreme Court decision represents a crucial vindication of KISA’s persistent struggle for justice and an important precedent for all civil society organisations defending equality and human rights across Europe.

We call on the Cypriot authorities to immediately implement the ruling by re-registering KISA in the Register of Associations and to ensure that the organisation can operate freely and safely.

This decision is not only a victory for KISA but also a reaffirmation of the right of all human rights defenders to act without fear or restriction. It should serve as a reminder that the freedom of association and peaceful assembly are indispensable to democracy and must be fully respected and protected.

For more information:

network@enar-eu.org

Notes to editors:    

• The European Network Against Racism (ENAR aisbl) stands against racism and discrimination and advocates equality and solidarity for all in Europe. We connect local and national anti-racist NGOs throughout Europe and voice the concerns of ethnic and religious minorities in European and national policy debate 
• Mr. Doros Polykarpou was arrested and prosecuted in 2019 for interfering in police business when he tried to help a minor in a stop and search incident by the police.
• Mr. Polykarpou was attacked by guards at the Pounara camp and subsequently indicted for the incident in March 2022.
• KISA was deregistered as a civil society organisation by the government of Cyprus on formal grounds and regularly excluded from parliament proceedings and advisory roles pertaining to its expertise.
• KISA and its staff members have been the target of repeated threats or violence and acts of physical and verbal violence. Despite reporting these incidents to the authorities, no proper investigations were conducted and none of the offenders were brought to justice.