In an interview with AlphaNews, he described the passage of the resolution on the impact of the 1974 Turkish invasion on girls and women in Cyprus as vindication.MEP Loukas Fourlas spoke live immediately after the resolution was passed by the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

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“It’s a vindication. After many months of effort, which began a year ago in Cyprus with the FAMM mission. It took a huge struggle to get the mission to Cyprus at that time; we didn’t give up. Together with Eleonora Meleti, we pushed for it through our political group, which supported us from the very beginning. The mission took place. It took a year of preparation, a year of consultations with many, many obstacles, to reach this day in Parliament, where the resolution was passed by a large majority.”

“A resolution that, 52 years later, does justice to the women who were abused in 1974,” notes Mr. Fourlas, reiterating that it is a vindication.

“It may be the most significant achievement I feel I’ve contributed to during my time in Parliament.”

For the first time at the European Union level, the rapes and abuses of women during the invasion have been documented as war crimes.

“It is very important that the resolution points the finger at Turkey as the perpetrator, and this is the second time in a month that Turkey has been singled out in a resolution —I’d also like to mention last month’s report on Turkey—points the finger at the culprit behind the invasion and occupation. Now, this resolution specifies more clearly that, among other things, the rapes and abuse of women in 1974 have now been documented as war crimes. This is now not only moral vindication but also opens the door for similar cases in the European Union; this is the first time that rape has been classified as a war crime—proven beyond a doubt and going beyond a mere moral condemnation—compensation is being sought from the perpetrator, compensation is also being sought from the European Union for the victims, and indeed we are asking the European Union how it will ensure this.”

“You realize that Turkey now has yet another matter to answer for, and as I see it, it’s yet another nail in the coffin of Turkey’s European integration,” Mr. Fourlas stated emphatically. 

“It’s a great victory; it’s a resolution that will be added to the arsenal of those fighting for human rights, and a vindication for women who didn’t find the strength to speak out for 52 years—yetthey endured; they broke the silence and, with their dignity—which we witnessed when we went to Cyprus, during those deeply moving moments we experienced—they achieved something very, very important.”

He emphasizes that the memorial to be built in Nicosia will serve as a reminder that hundreds of women were victims of war, victims of rape and abuse—and not just women and men.

“And I think this monument will show that they have nothing to apologize for—it is we who must apologize for the 52 years we kept them silent, as if it were their own fault.”

The monument is to be erected in a central location in Nicosia and will serve as a tribute to the victims—the women who have been abused, notes Mr. Fourlas.

“Some of the women who found the strength to speak out, when they heard about the memorial, asked with great anxiety, ‘Will they write our names on it?’ In other words, even 52 years later, they still want this crime—committed by others against them—to remain shrouded in silence. And when we assured them that our names would not be inscribed on it, they breathed a sigh of relief. You can understand how long we kept these women in shame and silence, and that this was a responsibility not only ours but also that of our parents and society in general.”

When asked about the issue raised regarding the inclusion of Turkish Cypriot women in the resolution, Mr. Fourlas points out that the report is crystal clear.

“It refers to the abuses committed by the Turkish regular army against Greek Cypriot women during the invasion. If such incidents occurred—and they certainly did—that is a different matter, falling under a different category. It does not fall under the category of rape being used as a war crime, as a weapon of war, during a coordinated invasion by one country of another. That was the subject of the report and the resolution. It was specifically about the Turkish army targeting defenseless women. The fact that crimes were committed—which have been documented—is accepted and acknowledged, but it falls under a different category. It does not fall under this one.”

When asked to comment on the fact that the resolution was passed shortly before the 52nd somber anniversary and while a new effort regarding the Cyprus issue is underway, Mr. Fourlas stated:

“Any effort that brings the Cyprus issue to the forefront is welcome. You understand that everyone must be convinced that they must uphold principles and values, because a solution cannot deviate from the principles and values of either the United Nations, the resolutions, or European standards. That is precisely why we want European involvement in any process. What strikes me is that the Turkish side has, unfortunately, laid out its demands on the table, and the only thing it has committed to is a vague statement that it will support the process. They insist on two states. At least that’s what the statements from the Turkish side say, and with all this, you can understand that one cannot be optimistic, unless, of course, the United Nations and the EU take the necessary steps and put pressure on the side that needs to make the required moves so that we can make progress. We will proceed in good faith.”

“We all support—and I’ve heard this from all political forces—the President of the Republic in this effort; it’s up to him to uphold the principles and values that must guide a solution. There are certain red lines that we must not cross if we are to have a solution that is functional and sustainable,” he concludes.