European Parliament passes resolution on the impact of the 1974 invasion on women in Cyprus

On July 8, 2026, the European Parliament adopted a resolution concerning the impact of the 1974 Turkish invasion on women and girls in Cyprus, specifically highlighting sexual violence used as a weapon of war. The initiative, led by Cypriot MEP Loukas Fourlas and Greek MEP Eleonora Meleti, was approved by an overwhelming majority following an inquiry by the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) in May 2025. The document formally recognizes the trauma, forced displacement, and separation of families, providing a legal basis for the Republic of Cyprus to seek justice and compensation. Supporters, including the ZOI Foundation, view this as a historic benchmark for international recognition of wartime sexual violence. Conversely, the Turkish Presidency and the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the resolution as null, void, and biased, describing it as an attempt to rewrite history. Turkish officials argue the measure ignores the rights of the Turkish Cypriot community and undermines ongoing reconciliation efforts. MEP Loukas Fourlas stated that the strong reaction from Ankara confirms the effectiveness of the resolution. The European Parliament President is expected to present the text to the Turkish leadership.