Costas Gavrielidis, a prominent advocate for equality and human rights in Cyprus, has died, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering commitment to diversity and social justice.
- Costas Gavrielidis, a prominent advocate for equality and human rights in Cyprus, has died, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering commitment to diversity and social justice.
Throughout his career, Gavrielidis played a significant role in various capacities, most recently as a policy and public diplomacy officer at a foreign diplomatic mission in Cyprus. His work encompassed political analysis, strategic communication, and public diplomacy, showcasing his dedication to advancing human rights.
From 2018 to 2023, he served as an adviser to the President of the Republic of Cyprus, focusing on multiculturalism and the promotion of respect for diversity. In this influential role, he proposed initiatives designed to enhance equality and foster social cohesion among different communities.
On the international stage, Gavrielidis represented Cyprus on the Steering Committee on Anti-Discrimination, Diversity and Inclusion (CDADI) of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. His leadership was further highlighted during his tenure as co-chair of the European LGBTIQ+ Governmental Focal Points Network (EFPN) from 2019 to 2023 and as chair of the pan-European IDAHOT+ Forum in 2022, held in Limassol.
Gavrielidis was instrumental in advancing LGBTI+ rights, coordinating Cyprus’s interministerial committee for the signing and implementation of a memorandum of understanding on LGBTI+ issues with the United Kingdom. His efforts led to significant government actions aimed at improving rights and equality within European and international frameworks.
A strong advocate for bicommunal cooperation, he served as a member of the Technical Committee on Humanitarian Issues, working tirelessly to address humanitarian concerns and promote dialogue between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.
In 2012, Gavrielidis co-founded Accept–LGBTI Cyprus and became its first elected president, leading the charge for the island’s inaugural Pride Festival in 2014, marking a pivotal moment in Cyprus’s social advocacy landscape. His dedication to LGBTI+ rights extended to his role on the executive board of ILGA-Europe from 2014 to 2018, contributing to the development of crucial European equality policies.
Beyond his advocacy work, Gavrielidis was also involved in policy development as a coordinator of the policy working group on LGBTI+ rights and a member of the political bureau of the Democratic Rally party, where he supported strategic planning on social equality issues.
A graduate of the English School of Nicosia, he held a bachelor’s degree in business administration and information systems, alongside a master’s degree in e-commerce with merit from the University of Westminster in London. Fluent in Greek, English, German, Russian, and French, he published numerous studies on human rights for the Council of Europe and various international institutes, having spent ten years living and working in London.
