The European Parliament today adopted a resolution calling for accountability for perpetrators and support for survivors of sexual violence committed during the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
Greek MEP Eleonora Meleti of the European People’s Party (EPP) held a press conference in Strasbourg following the successful vote, highlighting the significance of the resolution and the importance of recognising the experiences of victims who have carried their trauma for decades.
Meleti explained that the initiative began after MEP Loucas Fourlas, a member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, approached her with the idea of organising a mission to Cyprus to meet women who survived sexual violence during the 1974 invasion.
She said the proposal was important not only from a historical and political perspective but also on a deeply human level.
“This effort was not easy, and it is important to understand how we got here. At first, our proposal was rejected. It was rejected by most political groups on the grounds that there was no point in discussing something that happened 51 years ago.”
Meleti stressed that the adoption of the resolution represents a significant milestone, as it addresses the events of 1974 through a gender perspective.
“Today’s vote approaches the Turkish invasion through a gender perspective for the first time.”
She highlighted the profound impact of meeting survivors during the European Parliament delegation’s visit to Cyprus, noting that many women had carried their trauma in silence for decades.
“We had the honour of meeting victims who opened their hearts to us and shared their experiences despite their fears. Some of these women had never even revealed their trauma to their own families. Their suffering did not end with the violence they endured during the invasion; they were also harmed afterwards through stigma, marginalisation and social rejection.”
Meleti emphasised that while the resolution cannot undo the suffering of victims, it represents an important act of recognition and political commitment.
“This resolution cannot heal the wounds of Cypriot victims; however, it ensures that they are heard. It carries significant political weight and can create pressure both within Europe and beyond, including regarding the responsibilities arising from these crimes.”
The resolution calls on the European Union to recognise survivors of sexual violence during the 1974 invasion as victims of war crimes, strengthen long-term support mechanisms for victims and their families, and continue addressing conflict-related sexual violence as a weapon of war used in conflicts around the world.
It also calls for accountability, including the recognition of responsibilities, access to relevant archives, and continued efforts to document violations in order to preserve historical truth.
MEP Loucas Fourlas described the adoption of the resolution as a landmark moment for Cyprus and for the recognition of victims.
“The struggle now begins for compensation for victims and for their full recognition. This is a historic moment because, for the first time, an official document of a European institution describes the rape and abuse of women in Cyprus in 1974 as a war crime.”
The resolution was adopted with 575 votes in favour, 33 votes against and 43 abstentions.
Commenting on the vote, Meleti noted that the resolution received broad cross-party support, adding:
“No Greek member voted against. However, one Greek member abstained on the motion. Nicos Pappas from the Left Group (GUE/NGL). I do not know the reason, but when it comes to the final results, there was a member of our mission who abstained.”
The MEPs thanked colleagues, parliamentary staff, experts and organisations who contributed to the preparation of the delegation visit, the report and the resolution.
The adoption of the resolution represents an important step in recognising survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and reinforces the European Union’s commitment to human rights, accountability and the protection of civilians in situations of conflict.
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