Turkey condemns EU-funded memorial in Nicosia honoring 1974 invasion rape survivors
Turkey's Foreign Ministry has strongly criticized plans in Nicosia to build an EU-funded memorial dedicated to the women raped during the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Ankara claims the monument is intended solely to defame the Turkish Armed Forces and accuses Greek Cypriots and the EU of politicizing the issue and distorting historical events.
The proposed memorial has sparked controversy because it highlights the brutal sexual violence committed during the invasion, a subject long shrouded in silence and taboo. Over a thousand women were reportedly victimized, with documented cases submitted to the European Commission of Human Rights, which condemned Turkey in 1976. Despite clear evidence and past acknowledgment, Turkey has never accepted accountability.
Survivors faced social stigma and abandonment upon returning home, compounding their trauma. The initiative aims to break decades of silence and honor those affected. Yet Ankara’s objections underscore ongoing tensions around how history is remembered and the long-standing suffering of the communities involved.
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