Cyprus Legal Office Encountering Persistent Struggles; Deputy Attorney General Criticized by European Court of Human Rights
In a series of damning rulings, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has criticised Cyprus for mishandling sexual assault cases, highlighting inadequate investigations, discriminatory behaviour, and the application of sexist stereotypes.
One such case involved a British woman who made an allegation against a group of Israeli men in Ayia Napa in 2021, an incident that allegedly occurred in 2011 when she was 18. The ECHR found that Cypriot authorities failed to properly assess evidence that could have indicated a lack of consent, and placed excessive weight on perceived contradictions in the complainant's account, rather than properly investigating the question of non-consent.
The ECHR also criticised Cypriot authorities for their handling of the case, which it described as reflecting discriminatory gender biases and "patriarchal stereotypes." Prosecutors were found to have relied on sexist stereotypes and a victim-blaming attitude, taking the suspects' denials at face value and placing unjustified blame on the complainant. The woman herself was prosecuted for public mischief after she retracted her allegations following hours of questioning without legal counsel.
In a separate ruling in February 2025, the ECHR found that Cypriot authorities once again failed in their duty to investigate with sensitivity a 2019 gang rape allegation. The Court highlighted the lack of specialized psychological and forensic evaluation in the case, and the denial or obstruction of victims’ access to case files and lack of specialized psychological or legal support.
These failures have led to violations of victims' rights and trust. The ECHR underlined that biased attitudes towards women in Cyprus could foster a climate of impunity and discourage other victims from coming forward. The Court explicitly stated that such discriminatory and misogynistic handling undermines women's trust in the justice system, fostering a perception that the system does not adequately protect or respect victims of sexual violence.
The rulings demand profound reforms to ensure justice for sexual assault survivors and restore confidence in the legal system’s fairness and sensitivity towards women. The Court highlighted the urgent need for legal and procedural reforms to sensitize police, prosecutors, and judicial authorities about sexual assault dynamics, consent, and victim support.
The public and political repercussions of these rulings are already being felt, with calls for systemic reforms from Cyprus’s Gender Equality Commissioner, who emphasised that societal and institutional sexism leads to disrespect and discrimination against victims.
This is not the first time Cyprus has faced international condemnation over the mishandling of a sexual assault case. The ECHR's rulings order Cyprus to pay the applicant a total of €35,470 - €20,000 in compensation for moral damages and €15,470 for legal costs.
[1] European Court of Human Rights, Application No. 56781/18, Judgment of 25 February 2025 [2] European Court of Human Rights, Application No. 29822/14, Judgment of 25 February 2025 [3] Cyprus Mail, "ECHR criticises Cyprus over handling of rape case," 25 February 2025 [4] Cyprus News Agency, "Cyprus must pay €35,470 in damages over mishandling of rape case," 25 February 2025
- The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) criticised EU member Cyprus, particularly Larnaca, for its handling of sexual assault cases, stating that inadequate investigations, discriminatory behaviour, and sexist stereotypes were prevalent in policy-and-legislation and politics.
- In a 2025 ruling, the ECHR criticised Cyprus for mishandling a 2019 gang rape allegation, citing the lack of specialized psychological and forensic evaluation, denial or obstruction of victims’ access to case files, and lack of specialized psychological or legal support.
- Following the ECHR's rulings, Cyprus's Gender Equality Commissioner called for systemic reforms, emphasizing that societal and institutional sexism leads to disrespect and discrimination against victims, affecting general news and politics.
