A storm of reactions has erupted in Cyprus, and beyond, following comments made by Cypriot MEP and influencer Fidias Panayiotou on a podcast, which are being characterized as offensive and degrading toward people with intellectual disabilities.
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The incident with Fidias Panayiotou
Specifically, the incident occurred during a discussion with Paralympic swimmer Loizos Chrysanthou about athlete categorization, where the MEP used the derogatory term “pelli” (crazy/mad) to refer to people with intellectual disabilities.
As explained in related reporting by Cypriot website reporter, the MEP, while his guest was attempting to explain the groups that Paralympic athletes are divided into, and as he was explaining that the S-14 category includes people with intellectual impairments, Fidias Panayiotou interrupted his guest and asked, “S-14 is for the crazy ones, you said?“
With visible discomfort in his expression, the athlete responded, “No, man, sorry I don’t know if I said it wrong, they have to do with the brain, they have intellectual problems.” Subsequently, Fidias said, “Okay with the crazy… Yes Yes,” with the guest noting, “They’re not crazy. Actually we have an athlete, let me mention since he’s also a very good friend of mine who is S-14.”
Uproar of reactions following Fidias Panayiotou’s statements
Meanwhile, according to philenews.com, following Fidias Panayiotou’s statements, reactions have escalated, with parties and organizations in Cyprus strongly condemning the specific position, speaking of public discourse that insults the dignity of people with disabilities and does not align with the institutional role of an elected MEP. A common denominator of the interventions is the demand for a public apology, as well as the emphasis that such statements cannot be treated as “humor” or as a momentary mistake.
DISY announcement: “Degrading and offensive comment – He owes an apology”
We condemn in the most categorical way the inappropriate, extremely degrading and offensive comment by MEP Mr. Fidias Panayiotou during a podcast, with para-athlete swimmer Loizos Chrysanthou as guest.
His shameful reference to para-athletes with intellectual disabilities insults the entire society, every dignified citizen individually, and the only thing it provokes is anger and indignation.
Such comments about our fellow citizens with disabilities have no place not only in public dialogue but nowhere in our society. The least the MEP should do, if he has the slightest capacity for empathy, is to apologize.
AKEL announcement: “This is not a slip – Does not align with his institutional role”
The statements of MEP Fidias Panayiotou in an online podcast, referring to children and people with intellectual disabilities, are offensive, degrading and deeply problematic.
The categorical condemnation of the statements by the Cyprus Paralympic Committee highlights the seriousness of the issue. This is not a misunderstanding nor an isolated “slip,” but an attitude that does not align with the institutional role held by Mr. Panayiotou.
Public discourse that insults people with disabilities and especially children cannot under any circumstances be tolerated or left uncommented. There should already have been an apology.
EDEK announcement: “We are ashamed on his behalf”
MEP Fidias Panayiotou has crossed every line
Immaturity, insensitivity, arrogance, complete indifference to people’s realities and society, were expressed in the shameful reference by MEP Fidias Panayiotou about our fellow humans with intellectual disabilities.
These are the newfangled “app politicians.”
We are ashamed on his behalf.
Cyprus Paralympic Committee announcement: “The issue is not simply moral – It is deeply political and institutional”
The Cyprus Paralympic Committee condemns in the most categorical way the offensive, degrading and deeply regressive comment made by MEP Mr. Fidias Panayiotou during a public podcast, with para-athlete swimmer Loizos Chrysanthou as guest.
At the moment when Loizos Chrysanthou was explaining, with knowledge and seriousness, the Paralympic Games classification categories, when he attempted to refer to the S14 category, which concerns athletes with intellectual disabilities, the MEP intervened with a characterization that admits no interpretation: a term that is abusive, stigmatizing and offensive to thousands of our fellow citizens.
The use of such expressions cannot be characterized as either “poor timing” or “humor.” It is crude insult toward people with intellectual disabilities, toward athletes who daily struggle against prejudices and exclusions, but also toward the Paralympic Movement itself that highlights the true meaning of strength and human effort.
When moreover such expressions come from the mouth of an elected MEP, then the issue is not simply moral. It is deeply political and institutional.
We call on MEP Mr. Fidias Panayiotou to publicly acknowledge his mistake and position himself in a way that promotes respect and awareness following the words of Epictetus: “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters,” meaning “The problem is not disability, but how society perceives it.”
At the same time, we call on society and the media to support the cultivation of a culture of socialization and equal integration of people with disabilities.
The Cyprus Paralympic Committee is the responsible body for developing and spreading the Paralympic movement in Cyprus and will continue to stand against every form of verbal violence, underestimation and social racism.
KYSOA announcement: “Cannot be justified as humor or inexperience”
At KYSOA, we always closely monitor any developments concerning the world we represent and intervene when human rights are affected. Where our fight is affected against outdated, offensive and provocative perceptions that dangerously feed divisive frameworks for people with disabilities. Where our great goal of Inclusion and building a society of equal participation is affected, without prejudices and any discrimination.
It is disappointing and institutionally deterrent and condemnable that elected persons representing our homeland, moreover at European Parliament level, express discourse that reflects eras of obscurantism and apartheid.
People’s vote should fill every elected official with the deepest sense of responsibility and one would expect a young person not to throw the level of political discourse into tartarus, obviously having no understanding that he is being offensive.
You are not and do not become a pioneer and progressive through TikTok, YouTube, podcasts and videos. You become a pioneer and anti-establishment through the discourse you express and convey to your followers and by extension, through what you advocate.
And undoubtedly the view which one of the Cypriot MEPs, Mr. Fidias Panayiotou, “proudly” transmitted while enjoying his salad, that people with intellectual disabilities are “crazy,” does not constitute modernization and evolution, but degradation.
Shame. Disappointment. Disgust. Anger.
We remind Mr. Panayiotou that he is not attending kindergarten, but is engaged in politics from the benches of the European Parliament. Therefore, we do not allow him to hide clumsily behind the worn-out phrase that he is “young and still learning,” nor that he was being humorous. The least he has to do is to begin crash courses in respect for diversity, in the inherent dignity of every fellow human and simultaneously, immediate learning of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the special characteristics of our world that constitutes one of the most beautiful parts of Cyprus.
If he wishes, we can help him. Until then, we call on him to stop derailing and stay away from any disability policy.
