The European Parliament passed a resolution on Wednesday formally recognizing the sexual violence committed against wome...

The European Parliament passed a resolution on Wednesday formally recognizing the sexual violence committed against women and girls in Cyprus during the 1974 Turkish invasion. The vote was 575 in favor, 33 against, and 43 abstentions. The resolution condemns Turkey's ongoing occupation of Cyprus and calls it a serious violation of the Geneva Conventions. MEPs described the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and demanded accountability, reparations from Turkey, and full support for survivors and their families. Beyond recognition, the parliament called on Turkey to lift all restrictions on military zones and archives, and to cooperate fully with international authorities and the Republic of Cyprus on cases of conflict-related sexual violence and enforced disappearances. MEPs also called for increased EU support for the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus. The resolution backs the construction of a memorial in Nicosia honoring female victims of sexual violence and calls for the official recognition of survivor testimonies. MEPs also pushed for Cypriot women to have full and meaningful participation in any future peace process. Rapporteur Eleonora Meleti spoke after the vote, saying the parliament had made a promise that the pain of women who survived the Turkish invasion and the collective trauma of the Cypriot people would no longer be left on the margins or in silence, and that the resolution honored that promise. The vote came the same day a heated exchange over the Cyprus issue took place between Cyprus Deputy Foreign Minister Tasos Hadjivassiliou and former Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu at the Economist Impact Government Roundtable. The parliament also renewed its call for the immediate resumption of UN-led reunification talks and the withdrawal of all Turkish troops from the island. #Cyprus #EuropeanParliament #TurkishInvasion