Turkish-Cypriot Republican PTK politician Dogus Derya has received threats against her life following comments she made to the Turkish Cypriot Parliament on the violation of human rights on the isle. Specifically, she pointed to the reape of many Greek-Cypriot women by the Turkish army during the invasion of 1974 and also pointed to the fact that the Greek church at the time allowed abortions at the time specifically for this reason.

Her statements made when addressing the Turkish-Cypriot leadership on December 15 not only pointed to the rapes but also the Greek-Cypriot deaths, persecution and taking of their homes. She said that “this is the face of war”, being the first high-level Turkish politician to make such statements in public.

Her speech caused a great deal of irritation to the former Turkish-Cypriot head of resources and the Democratic Party/National Forces (DP-UG) head Zorlu Tore who warned her against calling the Turkish army rapists.

Since her speech, Turkish media has lambasted the minister and she has received threats of sexual violence against her. In response, Ms. Derya has also posted on social media: “Unable to settle with the past in this country, the fascist circles that try to cover the war crimes committed over the past chose again the path of attack with violence-filled statements.” She warned that she may sue those responsible for the “vile and aggressive” insults against her.