AKEL: Historical truth cannot be selective

12 July 2026, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

The European Parliament’s recent adoption of a resolution officially recognizes the rapes and abuses of women committed during the 1974 Turkish invasion as war crimes and human rights violations. Only the Left and Greens group voted unanimously in favor of the text, in contrast to the ECR—the political group to which the far-right ELAM party belongs—whose members mostly abstained. We recall that the issue of rape came to light years ago following campaigns conducted by AKEL and the Women’s Movement of POGO.

Of particular significance is the approval of an amendment tabled by AKEL—which in the vote procedure was rejected by DISY, ELAM, and DIKO—which acknowledges that victims of violence have come from all communities on the island.

The reunification of the country cannot be based on half-truths that perpetuate hatred and intolerance between the two communities.