The impact of the 1974 Turkish invasion on Cypriot women and girls, and the crimes committed by Turkish forces and consequences on gender equality
TA-10-2026-0262 · P10_TA(2026)0262 · PE785.181
- Adopted in plenary on · Adopted 575–33–43 · See the decision →
- Full procedure 2026/2617
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Parliament condemns Türkiye's 1974 invasion and ongoing occupation of Cyprus, and the grave consequences for Cypriot women and girls, including conflict-related sexual violence.¶ It calls for reparation for victims, resumption of reunification negotiations, and Türkiye's withdrawal and cooperation, including access to records and compensation.¶¶¶ It urges EU-wide action: an EU definition of rape based on consent, support services, data collection, memorials, and financial support for victims and the Committee on Missing Persons.¶¶¶
Key points
- Condemns Türkiye's military invasion and continued illegal occupation of Cyprus as a serious breach of international law, with grave consequences for women and girls.¶
- Stresses Türkiye's responsibility under international law and calls on member states to ensure effective, prompt and holistic reparation for victims of gender-based violence.¶
- Calls for urgent resumption of reunification negotiations from where they stopped in 2017, within the UN framework of a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality.¶
- Calls on Türkiye to withdraw troops and refrain from actions entrenching occupation or altering the demographic balance.¶
- Calls on member states to ensure survivors of rape have access to full sexual and reproductive health services, including emergency contraception, safe abortion and maternity care.¶
- Calls on the Commission to propose an EU-wide definition of rape based on lack of consent, and on member states to align national laws with the Istanbul Convention.¶
- Calls on the Commission to support Cyprus in determining the scale of crimes, collecting data, documenting testimonies, and providing support services through a national action plan.¶
- Encourages member states to address sexual and gender-based violence from past conflicts or regimes through investigations, memorials and compensation mechanisms.¶¶
- Calls on Türkiye to provide effective compensation to victims and survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and other serious violations.¶
- Calls on the Commission to reinforce financial support to the Committee on Missing Persons and to raise awareness of sexual violence as a weapon of war.¶¶
- Calls for reinforced EU financial and technical support for victim-centred services in Cyprus, including trauma counselling and intergenerational healing programmes.¶
- Supports Cyprus's implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and commends civil society work, urging enhanced EU cooperation and funding.¶¶
Who is affected
- Cypriot women and girls who suffered violence, displacement and trauma from the 1974 invasion and its aftermath.¶¶¶
- Türkiye, which is called on to withdraw troops, provide compensation, grant access to records and cooperate with international authorities.¶¶¶
- EU member states, which are called on to ensure reparation, align rape laws, and provide sexual and reproductive health services.¶¶¶
- The Commission, which is asked to propose legislation, support Cyprus, raise awareness and enhance funding for civil society and the Committee on Missing Persons.¶¶
Figures and deadlines
Legal basis: Articles 2 and 3 of the Treaty on European Union and Articles 8, 10, 78 and 83 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union¶