Cyprus Parliament passed a law on Thursday evening that makes femicide a distinct crime punishable with life imprisonment. The bill, tabled by House of Representatives President Annita Demetriou, was passed with 38 votes for and four against.

Speaking before the plenary Demetriou said that 9 femicides occurred in 2019, 5 in 2020 and 1 in 2022 adding that each number corresponds to a woman. She said that all these women lost their lives because they were women, by men they trusted, who exerted power on them.

DISY MP Rita Superman said motive is an integral element in sentencing adding that it is not about feminism but about human rights.

AKEL MP Andreas Pasiourtides expressed some legal concerns but said that anything that is done in the direction of awareness is important.

DIKO Parliamentarian Christiana Erotokritou said that violence against women, which is usually domestic and sexual, is a form of discrimination.

Chrysis Pantelidis of DIKO said the new legislation is another step that allows us to see the extent of the problem.

ELAM MP Soteris Ioannou expressed the opinion that the law will not solve the social problems Cyprus is faced with.

DIPA MP Alekos Tryfonidis said that during the pandemic femicides increased around the world and Cyprus is not an exception.

Green MP Alexandra Attalides said that femicide is the intentional killing of women because they are women and is the most violent manifestation of gender discrimination and inequality.

Independent MP Andreas Themistokleous said that homicide is the term that fully covers both victims and perpetrators.