Immediately after the resolution on the impact of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus on women and girls was adopted, the rapporteur for the resolution and coordinator of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), Eleonora Meleti, visibly moved, spoke exclusively to AlphaNews.Live.

Ms. Meleti emphasized the importance of a gender-based approach to the events of 1974, focusing on those who were victims of sexual abuse and rape.

“Victims must be able to speak out whenever they can, whenever they are given the opportunity, whenever the ground is fertile so that we can do more for them. This is a very important moment. It is the first time the European Parliament has examined the impacts of the 1974 invasion through a gender-based lens, focusing on the women and girls who were victims of sexual abuse, rape, and broader forms of abuse during the invasion.”

The most important point of the resolution, according to the rapporteur, is the official recognition of these women as victims of war crimes.

“Essentially, beyond all that we are calling for in the resolution—which is a great deal—and beyond our call on the European Union to support this entire initiative, but also our call on Turkey to acknowledge its responsibilities and all the obligations arising from those responsibilities. This is essentially the first time we have had an official recognition, if you will, of these victims as victims of war crimes. And this is extremely important. Unfortunately, the facts do not change, and the wounds do not heal just like that, but it is important that these voices—which we heard and which represent hundreds of other women— were heard in the European Parliament—and they were heard loud and clear.”

The adoption of the resolution was not an easy process, as there were stages of intense negotiations. Many political groups initially opposed it, arguing that there was no reason to discuss events from 52 years ago when there are current geopolitical crises.

“In the end, we succeeded. There were those political groups—which were in the majority—who said that it makes no sense to discuss something that happened 52 years ago, when something similar is happening geopolitically very close to us and in other countries, and that we should focus our efforts on other countries that are currently experiencing this very situation. I tried to explain this to them, and I believe we succeeded very well, that if we do not first tend to the wounds of a member of the European Union, how can we understand the phenomenon and reach out to other countries in need? We must look after our own members first. Cyprus is a member of the European Family.”

In response to our observation that the resolution comes 12 days before the 52nd somber anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, Ms. Meleti stated that this was no coincidence, as the vote and approval were intentionally timed to coincide, sending the message that promises made to the public are being fulfilled.

Ms. Meleti also noted that the experience of the mission to Cyprus and the testimonies of women who were underage girls at the time were an extremely difficult and moving process for all participants and the interpreters. The idea for this mission came from Loukas Fourlas, who strongly championed it until it was carried out.

“Historically, we all know the facts. But it’s very important to hear how these events were experienced. To some, 52 years may seem like a long time, but in reality, it isn’t long at all. There are survivors who are still alive, who remember, whose memories are still vivid, and it is very different—and of course deeply moving—to hear women, who may have been just young girls back then, describe all the emotions they experienced. I will never forget in my life how difficult it was for us to bring these conversations to a close. It wasn’t easy for anyone—not for them, not for us who were listening, nor for the interpreters who were translating everything they heard for their colleagues from other countries accompanying this mission.”

She is confident that the resolution will be warmly received by the public, both in Cyprus and in Greece.

What comes next after the resolution?

When asked what the day after the resolution will look like, she notes that the resolution is not binding, but it carries significant political weight. 

“Especially since the call to Turkey comes immediately after the report on Turkey that was released a few weeks ago. From that point on, it serves as a tool to pressure the European Union to focus on all the demands we are making regarding the women and girls who were victims of the invasion.”

Why only girls and women?

Ms. Meleti explains why the resolution refers to girls and women, noting that it clearly mentions all victims, including men and boys.

“Many people ask me, ‘Yes, but why do you only talk about women and girls and not about men and boys?’ Our resolution clearly refers to all victims. Men, boys, girls, women. It’s just important to understand that this is an initiative of the Friends’ Committee on Women’s Rights and Equality. So essentially, we are—not obligated, but focused, if you will—on women and girls precisely because this initiative originated from our own committee. And it was Loukas Fourlas’s idea.”

Responding to the criticism

When asked to respond to the criticism she has received regarding the campaign I waged on her behalf for Cyprus, indeed a Member of the European Parliament from Greece, she clarifies that her role is to represent all European citizens, regardless of country.

“It has saddened me that in Cyprus, while this was a hugely significant news story, in Greece it received little coverage. But that’s okay. We don’t do this for the publicity; we do it for the substance. Yes, I understand what you’re referring to, but I also understand the ignorance and lack of understanding of some people who don’t know what the role of a Member of the European Parliament is.”

“The role of a Member of the European Parliament is to represent and defend European citizens, regardless of which European Union member state they come from. We work for all Europeans,” he continued. “We don’t work only for our fellow citizens—the Greeks who are our voters—and the people who send us to the European Parliament,” he added.

“That is why, for issues that pertain purely to national problems, there are members of the National Parliament, but for issues that are national in nature at the European Union level, there are the relevant committees with highly respected and experienced politicians who handle these matters.”

She emphasizes that, as a Greek woman, she feels a historical bond with the Cypriots and is committed to doing her best for every member state facing challenges, stressing that Cyprus remains an occupied country.

“I am a coordinator on the FEMM Committee, the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality. This initiative came from that committee. The lens through which we approach this issue is a gender-based one. And of course, as a Greek woman, I cannot help but feel this historical bond we share with the Cypriots. And since I am a Member of the European Parliament, it goes without saying that I will do my very best. Just as I would for any other country facing a problem that we in our own country may not be facing. But we have a duty to defend the citizens of this country who need support.”