Nicosia, Cyprus. An elderly woman who was raped during the 1974 Turkish invasion is at risk of losing the refugee home allocated to her after her displacement because of an outstanding debt to a banking institution, MEP Loukas Fourlas said on Friday. The case surfaced shortly after the European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality approved a resolution calling for recognition and support for women who suffered sexual violence during the invasion.
Case raised publicly
Speaking publicly about the matter, Fourlas said the woman is in danger of being forced to leave the residence assigned to her after 1974.
“What I will say, let this case be heard at the presidential palace, at the ministers and at the competent services,” Fourlas said.
He questioned how the state could confront a woman who endured such experiences during the invasion and who is now at risk of losing her home because she cannot repay a debt.
Timing of the disclosure
Fourlas disclosed the case while commenting on the European Parliament resolution adopted this week addressing the experiences of women subjected to sexual violence during the conflict.
Speaking to Sigma, he described the circumstances as “shocking,” particularly because he said he learned of the woman’s situation only hours after the committee vote.
Efforts to prevent eviction
According to Fourlas, efforts are already under way to prevent the loss of the property.
He said actions have been initiated to examine possible solutions and that alternative arrangements are being explored to avoid the woman’s eviction from the refugee settlement.
Fourlas also said that if no solution is found through the relevant authorities or other channels, he would consider personally covering the outstanding amount to prevent her from losing her residence.
