Resolution on the impact of the 1974 Turkish invasion on Cypriot women and girls, and the crimes committed by Turkish forces and consequences on gender equality

The European Parliament adopted by 575 votes to 33, with 43 abstentions, a resolution on the impact of the 1974 Turkish invasion on Cypriot women and girls, and the crimes committed by Turkish forces and consequences on gender equality.

The European Parliament strongly condemned Türkiye's continued military occupation of Cyprus, describing it as a serious violation of international law with lasting consequences for Cypriot women and girls, including conflict-related sexual violence, forced displacement, family separation and other human rights abuses. It stressed Türkiye's responsibility under international law to provide full reparations to victims, including restitution, rehabilitation, compensation and guarantees of non-repetition, and called on Member States to ensure effective support and redress for survivors of gender-based violence. Parliament also urged the urgent resumption of UN-led negotiations on the reunification of Cyprus and called on Türkiye to withdraw its troops and refrain from actions that would further entrench the occupation or alter the island's demographic balance.

Parliament called on Member States to guarantee comprehensive support for survivors of rape, including access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, such as emergency contraception, treatment and prevention of sexually transmitted infections, safe and legal abortion services, and maternity care. It welcomed the ratification of the Istanbul Convention by 22 Member States, including Cyprus, and urged the Commission to propose EU legislation establishing an EU-wide definition of rape whereby rape is defined by the absence of freely given, informed and reversible consent.

Parliament called for stronger legal frameworks in Cyprus and victim-centred justice mechanisms to address conflict-related sexual violence and ensure justice for survivors. It condemned the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, urged the Commission to promote awareness, accountability and remembrance, and to support initiatives advancing victims’ rights, gender equality and social reintegration. Members also called for increased EU funding for the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus and urged Türkiye to grant full access to records relating to the 1974 invasion and to cooperate fully in investigations into conflict-related sexual violence, enforced disappearances and other serious violations of international humanitarian law.

Members called for reinforced and sustained EU financial and technical support for victim-centred services in Cyprus, including specialised trauma and gender-sensitive counselling, long-term psychosocial assistance and intergenerational healing programmes, which are specifically tailored to survivors and their families and are provided by qualified and specialised personnel to prevent secondary victimisation.

Lastly, the Commission is urged to enhance cooperation with Cypriot civil society, victims’ associations and relevant international bodies engaged in truth-seeking and reconciliation efforts, including through the provision of adequate EU funding.

Text adopted by Parliament, single reading