Protest in Nicosia Against Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation

Today in Nicosia, the Women’s Organization of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), along with several trade unions and political parties, will hold a protest against human trafficking and the exploitation of women in nightclubs across Northern Cyprus. The protest is set to begin at 3:00 PM in front of the Ministry of the Interior.

Organizers of the protest cited a recent tragedy involving a nightclub worker in the north and urged the authorities to take immediate action against what they describe as “sexual slavery” and widespread human rights violations.

“This tragedy is the direct result of systematic exploitation through human trafficking and sexual slavery, inhumane working conditions, and degrading practices, in which the state is indirectly complicit,” read the CTP’s statement.

The party also called on the Ministry of the Interior and the General Directorate of Police to take decisive action to eliminate the brutal conditions that are pushing women to the brink—and in some cases, to suicide.

The protest comes in the wake of disturbing revelations surrounding the death of 24-year-old Moldovan citizen Anastasia Melegi, who was employed at the Prenses nightclub in Northern Cyprus. According to reports in the British media, Anastasia was brought to the TRNC under the false promise of a well-paying managerial job. Once there, her passport was allegedly taken away, and she was forced into prostitution.