Forced Sterilisation: A Human Rights Dilemma in Cyprus
In the heart of Europe, a controversial practice persists, one that has stirred a complex debate on ethics and human rights. In Cyprus, along with 11 other EU countries, forced sterilisation remains a legal or unprohibited act—a decision often made by guardians for those with disabilities. The Cyprus Mail’s recent discussions with stakeholders reveal a hidden world where such procedures are quietly carried out, away from public scrutiny.
Christakis Nicolaides, head of the disabilities association Kysoa, acknowledges the difficulty in obtaining concrete data but insists that forced sterilisations, particularly on individuals with intellectual disabilities, do occur. Nicolaides points to a harrowing case where a woman was unknowingly sterilised post-childbirth. The association also raises concerns about accompanying abortions and the potential for abuse and rape within institutions.
Conversely, Iacovos Valanides, chairman of an association for children with special needs, has not encountered reports of forced sterilisations but does not dismiss the possibility of sexual assault within closed-off facilities. Dr Gavriel Kalakoutis, a gynaecologist, admits that such sterilisations happen “on rare occasions,” citing a case where a mother sought the procedure for her daughter to prevent harassment.
Despite being a criminal offence under Cypriot law, punishable by imprisonment or a fine, mental health legislation permits sterilisation with guardian consent. This legal paradox has drawn criticism from the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and activists like Cristina Paredero, who campaigns against the practice after her own coerced sterilisation at 18.
The European Disability Forum (EDF) identifies Cyprus among countries where forced sterilisation is not explicitly banned. Meanwhile, the Cyprus Medical Association and the head of the gynaecologist’s association, Dr Afroditi Elisseou, have not acknowledged such practices occurring. The latest US human rights report also found no evidence of coerced procedures but did note NGO concerns over suspicious abortions among institutionalised individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Dimitris Parperis, a psychologist with the Cyprus Family Planning Association, suggests that fear and inadequate sex education may drive parents towards seeking forced sterilisation for their children. He advocates for comprehensive sex education and less invasive alternatives like the coil to protect individuals’ autonomy without resorting to permanent measures.
While some argue for forced sterilisation in exceptional cases, Nicolaides firmly opposes it, asserting that people with disabilities have the right to decide about their bodies and parenthood. The EDF’s campaign to ban the practice faced setbacks when it was not included in the Directive on Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence. Pirkko Mahlamäki of the EDF’s Women’s Committee expressed disappointment, urging states to respect women with disabilities’ rights rather than making decisions on their behalf.
