28 February 28 - Another negative discrimination by the Republic of Cyprus
The decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), condemning Cyprus in the case of the 19-year-old British woman, is a resounding blow to the rule of law in our country. Instead of protecting the victim, the authorities forced her to withdraw, referred her to trial and ultimately convicted her. It was not just a misstep; it was a chain of decisions that led to the secondary victimization of a woman who had already suffered violence.
The ECHR did not simply point out isolated errors. It held accountable a state that continues to treat allegations of sexual violence with distrust, prejudice and – as was shown clearly in this case – hostility. When the court itself acknowledges that such practices may conceal deep-rooted inequality against women, we are not just talking about an unjust decision, but about a deeply problematic mentality that permeates our institutions.
Cyprus cannot remain a country where victims fear that if they speak out, they will be put on trial. It cannot tolerate a culture of impunity, where the protection of victims is considered secondary and complaints are contested as standard.
The conviction of the ECHR brings us all to account. Justice does not only work on paper; it must be implemented in practice. To do this, we need:
Special training for the authorities to treat complaints of sexual violence with seriousness and respect.
Specific protection measures for victims, so that they feel safe to report.
Accountability for those who handled the case with incompetence, bias, or indifference.
Real enforcement of the law, so that no woman feels like the system will turn against her if she seeks justice.
We don’t speak about one case from the past. We speak of a future where no victim will ever find themselves in this position again. And this is everyone’s responsibility.