D Articles 5 – Paragraphs 1 and 2

1. By virtue of Article 3 of the Constitution, the official languages of the Republic are Greek and Turkish. Citizens of the Republic speak in fact at least one of these languages.

2. There is no State religion in Cyprus, and there is no Law which enumerates or makes any distinction between religions which are recognised and not recognised. Article 18 of the constitution, affords the right of freedom of religion, (with the exception of religions whose doctrines or rites are secret), and of equality of all religions before the law, prohibiting the administration from discriminating against any religion or religious institution. Article 18 also affords the right to every person, whether individually or collectively, and whether in private or in public, to profess his faith and to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching practice, or observance, and to change his religion or belief. Article 18 prohibits the use of both physical and moral compulsion, for the purpose of making a person change, or preventing him form changing his religion.

3. The is no policy of assimilation. Integration is to a large extent achieved, through the openess of the existing social, caltural, educational and economic system of Cyprus and through Constitutional provisions.

4. The right to education is safeguarded by Article 20 of the Constitution and Articles 86-109, which refer to the establishment and functioning of the communal Assembly, the powers of which were transferred in 1965 to the Ministry of Education and Culture.

5. Primary and Secondary education is commulsory and free for all persons, irrespective of their financial condition, race, colour, religion or group-origin.

6. The right to establish and operate private schools is also safeguarded, and along with the public educational system there functions the private one, which covers all stages of education.

7. Children belonging to the relevant religious groups or communities, such as Turkish-Cypriote, Maronites, Armenians and Latins, are assisted by the State to attend private schools of their choice. The State thus covers all fees and expenses of Turkish-Cypriot pupils whose families reside in the areas controlled by the Government, and who attend private schools of elementary and secondary education, grants the amount of £120.00 per year to every Maronite or Latin student that attends primary education at the private schools of Terra Santa and St. Mary's, and grants an annual amount of £450.00 to each Armenian, Maronite and Latin student who attends a private secondary education school.

8. The right of religious groups or communities to set up and operate their own schools, is safeguarded, and such schools are financially assisted by the State. For example, Armenians have Primary schools of their own, which are fully funded by the State. Maronites lost their educational establishments as a result of the Turkish invasion, but the State has recently decided to establish an elementary school for them.

9. Higher Education is offered by the University of Cyprus to which admission is open to all, depending on examination results. The teaching languages of the University are Greek and Turkish.

10. Religious instruction of Maronite children who attend public schools is taught by Maronite priests who receive a monthly stipend by the State in relation thereto.

11. Great assistance is provided by the State as far as the practice of religion is concerned. The Republic gives financial assistance of about US$ 140.000,00 per annum to churches of religious groups or communities. Land, as well as public grants, have been given to them for construction of their churches and cemeteries. For example, as recently as June 1998, the Council of Ministers approved the grant of an amount of US$ 60.000,00, for the construction of a cemetery by the Latins. Grants are also given by the State over and above annual grants, for repairs to existing churches and monasteries. Furthermore, as from 1.1.1999, the State has begun to pay salaries to the priests of religious groups.

12. The members of all religious groups and communities, use their own language in private and in public, they learn their mother tongue and are free to receive instruction in their mother tongue. The Ministry of Education and Culture subsidizes cultural activities, which include book publishing, performances, libraries, etc.

Financial assistance is given to social and athletic clubs, which further helps in maintaining other elements of identity. For example, a new athletic stadium is being planned for the Maronite religious group.