‘Back to the dark ages’: forced sterilisation still exists
Forced sterilisation of people with disabilities is legal or not explicitly banned in Cyprus and 11 other EU countries. This practice is considered a violation of human rights and can be a form of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. Despite being a criminal offense in Cyprus, mental health laws allow the procedure with guardian consent. Fear, lack of education about sex, and concerns about parenting responsibilities are cited as reasons for forced sterilisation, although less invasive alternatives like the coil are available. The European Disability Forum has campaigned to ban forced sterilisation, but efforts have not been successful in some cases.
