European Parliament discusses impact of 1974 Turkish invasion on women in Cyprus

On Tuesday, the European Parliament plenary in Strasbourg held a debate regarding the impact of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus on women and girls. The session focused on allegations of violence and abuse committed during the conflict. The resolution, set for a vote on Wednesday, was presented by New Democracy MEP Eleonora Meleti. Meleti highlighted testimonies from survivors who met with an EP delegation last year, many of whom had remained silent for decades due to social stigma and trauma. The speaker emphasized that these testimonies represent victims who are unable to speak publicly. During the session, she called for the official recognition of these women as victims of war crimes and for rape to be formally categorized as a weapon of war. Additionally, the proposal advocates for providing reparations to survivors and ensuring that these historical events are remembered. The debate aims to address the long-term consequences of the invasion, including isolation and marginalization of victims.