Commissioner for Children's Rights condemns xenophobic rhetoric following school violence incident

On November 3, 2026, an 11-year-old student was reportedly attacked by four classmates at a primary school in Nicosia, Cyprus. The incident sparked a broader public debate regarding the rise of school violence, with data from the Safe School Team for the 2024-2025 period recording 510 violent incidents across 98 schools, and a 2026 survey showing 95% of primary school teachers believe such incidents are increasing.

Following the incident, the political party ELAM issued a statement on November 4, 2026, linking the violence to illegal immigration and suggesting that the "culture" of certain groups threatens local society. This prompted a strong rebuke on November 9 from the Commissioner for the Protection of Children's Rights, Elena Perikleous. The Commissioner condemned the violence against the student and denounced the party's rhetoric, arguing that it fosters xenophobia and promotes the collective targeting of children based on their national or migrant background.

Commissioner Perikleous emphasized that protecting the victim and conducting a full investigation into the assault are the primary priorities. She urged against the stigmatization of children and underscored that school violence is a complex social phenomenon that should not be used as a pretext for hateful political discourse.