Protesters protest police brutality and prejudice, KNEWS

A peaceful demonstration, powered by the African Community in Cyprus and supported by allied organizations, took place in Eleftheria Square on Saturday at 12 noon. Attendees called for respect towards immigrants and highlighted several demands, including an end to police repression, deportations and the mistreatment of asylum seekers and third-country nationals. They also advocated for equal access to medical and health services.

The meeting, outlined in a community statement, was prompted by the recent death of Anisur Rahman, an immigrant from Bangladesh, on April 10 in Limassol. “Our aspiration is a life free from the specter of police harassment and violence, with fair living conditions and unfettered access to essential social services,” the statement underlined.

Furthermore, it is claimed that immigrants are discriminated against by both the state and employers, and are often treated as second-class citizens. Additionally, they claim to have suffered racial profiling and surveillance by law enforcement while living in Cyprus