a law provides for life imprisonment for perpetrators of feminicides

A response to a context of rising domestic violence on the Mediterranean island. The Cypriot Parliament voted on Friday, July 8, in favor of a law providing for life imprisonment for the perpetrators of feminicide.

The bill was proposed by Annita Demetriou, the first woman to preside over the Cypriot Parliament. The text was adopted by 38 votes for and 4 against.

According to this text, detailed by the Cyprus Mail, the fact that the death took place after violence by a sexual partner, misogynistic or conjugal violence, among others, will be considered an aggravating circumstance. Other facts will constitute aggravating circumstances, for example if the death took place after violence motivated by religious beliefs, or violence because of the person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

The island, which has a population of around one million, has recorded 20 femicides in three years, according to police data. The last one is from a month ago. An 84-year-old man killed his 82-year-old wife in the city of Limassol, in the south of the island. In 2019, Cyprus had recorded nine femicides, including five perpetrated by a serial killer who was sentenced to life in prison, according to police. Two young girls were among his victims.

Cases of violence against women in Cyprus increased by 67% between 2020 and 2021, according to the same source.