Cyprus
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- Republic of Cyprus - presidential republic; self-proclaimed "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC) - parliamentary republic with enhanced presidency
- CONSTITUTION
- May 5, 1985; amended in 2014
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- mixed legal system of English common law and civil law with supremacy of European law; subject to the mandatory jurisdiction of the ICJ
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- unicameral, House of Representatives (Vouli Antiprosopon) for the area under government control; Assembly of the Republic (Cumhuriyet Meclisi) for the area administered by Turkish Cypriots
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Supreme Court of Cyprus (composed of 13 judges, including the president of the court); district courts of the Republic of Cyprus; Assize Courts; administrative court; specialized courts for family matters, industrial disputes, military issues, and rent control; "TRNC Assize Courts"; "district and family courts"
RELIGIONS
Eastern Orthodox Christian 89.1%, Roman Catholic 2.9%, Protestant/Anglican 2%, Muslim 1.8%, Buddhist 1%, other (includes Maronite Catholic, Armenian Apostolic, Hindu) 1.4%, unknown 1.1%, none/atheist 0.6% (2011 est.)
From the country
- JANUARY 1, 2000CyprusDEATH PENALTY
The Turkish Cypriot Constitution abolished capital...
The Turkish Cypriot Constitution abolished capital punishment except for military crimes
- JANUARY 1, 2000CyprusDEATH PENALTY
On February 18, 1999, the House of Representatives...
On February 18, 1999, the House of Representatives unanimously voted for the abolition of the death penalty under domestic law
- NOVEMBER 26, 1999CyprusDEATH PENALTY
On November 26, commenting on the ratification of the...
On November 26, commenting on the ratification of the Kurd leader's death penalty, Government Spokesman Mikhail Papapetrou said that Cyprus had abolished the death penalty and was against its implementation in other countries
- SEPTEMBER 10, 1999CyprusDEATH PENALTY
On September 10, Cyprus acceded to the Second Optional...
On September 10, Cyprus acceded to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty
- JUNE 29, 1999CyprusDEATH PENALTY
On June 29, when Turkey handed down a death sentence...
On June 29, when Turkey handed down a death sentence to Kurd rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan, Government Spokesman Kostas Serezis voiced Cyprus' opposition to capital punishment
- MAY 7, 1999CyprusDEATH PENALTY
On May 7, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides on behalf...
On May 7, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides on behalf of Cyprus signed Protocol No
- APRIL 28, 1999CyprusDEATH PENALTY
Cyprus was a cosponsor of the resolution on the death...
Cyprus was a cosponsor of the resolution on the death penalty approved by the UN Commission on Human Rights on April 28 (1999/61)
- FEBRUARY 22, 1999CyprusDEATH PENALTY
On February 22, the Cyprus Government supported a joint...
On February 22, the Cyprus Government supported a joint statement by EU foreign ministers expressing the view that PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan should have an open and fair trial before an independent court and in the presence of lawyers chosen by him and i
- FEBRUARY 18, 1999CyprusDEATH PENALTY
On February 18, the House of Representatives unanimously...
On February 18, the House of Representatives unanimously voted for the abolition of the death penalty under domestic law
- JANUARY 1, 1999CyprusDEATH PENALTY
Cyprus abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes...
Cyprus abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 1983