Disability is not "madness," but political inadequacy and social cannibalism are.

The Cyprus Third Age Observatory, as a guardian of human rights and the dignity of every citizen, expresses its absolute abhorrence and outrage regarding the recent, utterly unacceptable statements made by MEP Fidias Panayiotou.

Characterizing the S14 Paralympic category, which concerns our fellow citizens with intellectual disabilities, as a category "for the mad" (using the derogatory Cypriot term "pellous"), is neither a "mishap" nor a "failure of expression." It is the epitome of social fascism and absolute intellectual poverty.

It is tragic that, at a time when the disability movement, the Cyprus Federation of Social Organizations (KYSOA), and the Cyprus Paralympic Committee are fighting daily battles to eliminate stigma, an elected representative of Cyprus in the European Parliament drags up terms from the mire of the past that harken back to dark eras of institutionalization and mockery.

The Cyprus Third Age Observatory points out the following:

• Ignorance is no alibi: As KYSOA very correctly emphasized, Mr. Panayiotou is not a toddler in kindergarten. He is a political figure who is lavishly remunerated to represent a nation. If he does not know the difference between disability and his own insults, he is dangerously unfit for the position he holds.

• An insult to human existence: His statements did not only insult the athlete Loizos Chrysanthou, who was standing before him and who delivered a lesson in ethics; they insulted every family fighting for the self-evident rights of their children.

• The "madness" of arrogance: The only "madness" we observe is that of the arrogance and lack of restraint offered by a mobile phone or computer screen. Disability is a part of human diversity. However, the lack of empathy and respect is a choice.

  
  

The Observatory fully aligns itself with the Deputy Mayor of Polis Chrysochous and all the organizations calling for an immediate and public apology, not a typical "sorry" via TikTok, but a tangible recognition of the damage he has caused to the political culture of our country.

The Observatory will not tolerate a return to the Middle Ages. The Cyprus of 2026 does not belong to those who laugh disparagingly at disability, but to those who struggle for an inclusive society.

In closing, Mr. Panayiotou, what do you have to say to people living with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other related diseases? Based on your "logic," are these thousands of senior fellow citizens and their families also "laughable"? Are they too "mad" and deserving of your irony?

Mr. Panayiotou, dignity is not redeemed in "views." Grow up or resign.