Source: US Library of Congress - "Assyrian Christian refugees fromTyari and Tkhuma, Kurdistan, in the autumn of 1915"
In a highly symbolic and historic move, the Plenary of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus unanimously approved on Monday, December 22, 2025, a resolution condemning the Assyrian Genocide (also known as the "Sayfo" and "Seyfo").
With this important decision, Nicosia officially recognizes the totality of the tragedy that befell the Armenians and the Assyrians, and partially^ for the Greeks*, in the latter years of the Ottoman Empire between 1914-1923, with persecutions going back to the mid 1890's.
The resolution underlines that the extermination of the Assyrians by the Ottoman administration followed the same inhumane methodology as the Armenian and Greek genocides, including mass slaughters, death marches into the interior and slave markets. Along with condemning the crimes, the House of Representatives declared August 7 as the Day of Remembrance for the victims of the Assyrian genocide.
During the session, MP Kostis Efstathiou (IND), rapporteur of the initiative, highlighted the island's deep historical ties with the Assyrian people.
A special mention was made of the 300 Assyrian ascetics who, persecuted by Arab raids, found refuge in Cyprus, decisively influencing its culture and spirituality.
The initiative was widely accepted by all political forces, with MPs focusing on the importance of collective memory.
MP Alexandra Attalidou (VOLT) stressed that Europe was built on confronting the crimes of the past and not on remaining silent. She made a point to sound the alarm about extreme phenomena, like Nazi salutes, taking place in modern society.
George Loukaides (AKEL) and Charalambos Theopemptou (Ecologists) praised the importance of highlighting historical truth, while Zacharias Koulias (DIKO) described the evidence presented as of great importance for the historical consciousness of the state.
Beyond the issue of the Assyrians, the discussion also extended to other population groups that found protection in Cyprus, such as the Maronites, reinforcing the narrative of the island as a timeless refuge for the persecuted peoples of the Middle East.
^* Note by the Hellenic Canadian Research Institute: Both Greece and Cyprus recognize the Greek Genocide in a very haphazard and incoherent way with the former dividing the genocide in three and the latter partially recognizing the genocide. Neither Greece or Cyprus recognize the Greek Genocide in its entirety.
It should also be noted that at this time, Greece also does not recognize the Assyrian Genocide. On June 13-14, 2025, Assyrian scholars at a conference in Athens urged the Greek government to recognize the Assyrian Genocide.
With this important decision, Nicosia officially recognizes the totality of the tragedy that befell the Armenians and the Assyrians, and partially^ for the Greeks*, in the latter years of the Ottoman Empire between 1914-1923, with persecutions going back to the mid 1890's.
The resolution underlines that the extermination of the Assyrians by the Ottoman administration followed the same inhumane methodology as the Armenian and Greek genocides, including mass slaughters, death marches into the interior and slave markets. Along with condemning the crimes, the House of Representatives declared August 7 as the Day of Remembrance for the victims of the Assyrian genocide.
During the session, MP Kostis Efstathiou (IND), rapporteur of the initiative, highlighted the island's deep historical ties with the Assyrian people.
A special mention was made of the 300 Assyrian ascetics who, persecuted by Arab raids, found refuge in Cyprus, decisively influencing its culture and spirituality.
The initiative was widely accepted by all political forces, with MPs focusing on the importance of collective memory.
MP Alexandra Attalidou (VOLT) stressed that Europe was built on confronting the crimes of the past and not on remaining silent. She made a point to sound the alarm about extreme phenomena, like Nazi salutes, taking place in modern society.
George Loukaides (AKEL) and Charalambos Theopemptou (Ecologists) praised the importance of highlighting historical truth, while Zacharias Koulias (DIKO) described the evidence presented as of great importance for the historical consciousness of the state.
Beyond the issue of the Assyrians, the discussion also extended to other population groups that found protection in Cyprus, such as the Maronites, reinforcing the narrative of the island as a timeless refuge for the persecuted peoples of the Middle East.
^* Note by the Hellenic Canadian Research Institute: Both Greece and Cyprus recognize the Greek Genocide in a very haphazard and incoherent way with the former dividing the genocide in three and the latter partially recognizing the genocide. Neither Greece or Cyprus recognize the Greek Genocide in its entirety.
It should also be noted that at this time, Greece also does not recognize the Assyrian Genocide. On June 13-14, 2025, Assyrian scholars at a conference in Athens urged the Greek government to recognize the Assyrian Genocide.
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