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Back Significant shortcomings in the authorities’ response to the gang-rape of a woman led to the European Court of Human Rights finding violations of Articles 3 and 8 ECHR (Case of X v. Cyprus)

Significant shortcomings in the authorities’ response to the gang-rape of a woman led to the European Court of Human Rights finding violations of Articles 3 and 8 ECHR (Case of X v. Cyprus)

In the case of X v. Cyprus, no. 40733/22, 27 February 2025, the European Court of Human Rights found significant shortcomings in the authorities’ response to the applicant’s reports of having been gang-raped by twelve men while on holidays in Cyprus. Rather than applying a victim-sensitive approach, the investigative and prosecutorial authorities had assessed the applicant’s credibility through prejudicial gender stereotypes and victim-blaming attitudes, culminating in the applicant’s criminal prosecution for false reporting.

The Court found a procedural violation of Articles 3 and 8 ECHR on account of the numerous shortcomings in the handling of the applicant’s case. It also referred to GREVIO’s baseline report on Cyprus of 2022.

ECHR Press release