Ziya v. Cyprus

FIFTH SECTION

Application no. 14182/25 Baris ZIYA against Cyprus

(see appended table)

The European Court of Human Rights (Fifth Section), sitting on 17 September 2026 as a Committee composed of:

Andreas Zünd , President , Vahe Grigoryan, Sébastien Biancheri , judges ,

and Viktoriya Maradudina, Acting Deputy Section Registrar,

Having regard to the above application against the Republic of Cyprus lodged with the Court under Article 34 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (“the Convention”) on 24 April 2025,

Having regard to the formal declarations accepting a friendly settlement of the case,

Having deliberated, decides as follows:

FACTS AND PROCEDURE

The applicant’s details are set out in the appended table.

The applicant was represented by Mr M. Kazakos, a lawyer practising in Nicosia.

The applicant’s complaints under Article 8 of the Convention concerning the criminalisation of organising a Muslim celebration (wedding or circumcision party) in which a female singer is performing by virtue of section 97 of the Cypriot Criminal Code (Cap. 154), were communicated to the Cypriot Government (“the Government”). A complaint based on the same facts was also communicated under Article 14 of the Convention.

By letter dated 26 June 2026 the Government informed the Court that they proposed the following undertaking with a view to reaching a friendly settlement of the case:

“1. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus offer to pay ex gratia to the applicant [...] the following amounts: (i) EUR 3,500 (three thousand and five hundred euros) to cover any and all pecuniary and non-pecuniary damage and (ii) EUR 1,500 (one thousand and five hundred euros) to cover costs and expenses before the European Court of Human Rights, plus any tax that may be chargeable to the applicant on those amounts. The above sum which is to cover any and all pecuniary and non-pecuniary damage as well as costs and expenses, will be payable within three months from the date of notification of the decision to strike the case out of its list of cases. In the event of failure to pay this sum within the said three-month period, the Government undertake to pay simple interest on it, from expiry of that period until settlement, at a rate equal to the marginal lending rate of the European Central Bank during the default period plus three percentage points. The payment will constitute the final resolution of the case.

2 The Attorney General will not institute any prosecution of the applicant in so far as it relates to section 97 of the Criminal Code (Cap. 154).

3 Furthermore, the Attorney General as the legal advisor of the Government, including the Council of Ministers and Ministers, has already advised the competent Ministry of Justice and Public Order to prepare a bill with a view to annulling section 97 of the Criminal Code (Cap. 154). The Ministry of Justice and Public Order has agreed with the suggestion and prepared relevant bill which was forwarded to the Law Office for vetting. Under standard procedure, once the vetting of the bill is completed and returned to the Ministry of Justice, the bill will be tabled to the Council of Ministers for approval and hereinafter at Parliament for adoption. The decision as to whether the bill will be passed and section 97 will be annulled rests with the Parliament.

4 If the applicant accepts the terms of the friendly settlement, he waives any further claims against Cyprus in respect of the facts giving rise to this application.”

By letter dated 26 June 2026 the applicant informed the Court that he agreed to the above terms.

THE LAW

The Court takes note of the friendly settlement reached between the parties. It is satisfied that the settlement is based on respect for human rights as defined in the Convention and the Protocols thereto and finds no reasons to justify a continued examination of the application.

In view of the above, it is appropriate to strike the case out of the list.

For these reasons, the Court, unanimously,

Decides to strike the application out of its list of cases in accordance with Article 39 of the Convention.

Done in English and notified in writing on 8 October 2026.

Viktoriya Maradudina Andreas Zünd Acting Deputy Registrar President

APPENDIX

Application raising complaints under Article 8 of the Convention

Application no. Date of introduction

Applicant’s name

Year of birth

Representative’s name and location

Date of receipt of Government’s letter

Date of receipt of Applicant’s letter

Amount awarded for pecuniary and non ‑ pecuniary damage

(in euros) [1]

Amount awarded for costs and expenses per application

(in euros) [2]

14182/25

24/04/2025

Baris ZIYA

1977

Kazakos Michalis

Nicosia

26/06/2026

26/06/2026

3,500

1,500

[1] Plus any tax that may be chargeable to the applicant.

[2] Plus any tax that may be chargeable to the applicant.