‘Back to the dark ages’: forced sterilisation still exists

Buried behind closed doors lies a legal practise that allows people with disabilities to be forcibly sterilised if their guardian deems them unfit to be a parent.

Branded as a degrading violation of human rights by some and a painful necessity by others, Cyprus is one of 12 countries across the EU where forced sterilisation is legal or at least not explicitly banned.

The matter is often kept far from the limelight in clinics, homes and institutions, according to stakeholders who spoke to the Cyprus Mail.