There are over 1,000 Cypriots still missing from 1974 and 1963/4. A crucial part of determining the fate of the missing persons of Cyprus is obtaining information to help piece together stories that might lead to someone’s loved one being identified.
- What is the missing persons issue?
Many Cypriots went missing during the Turkish invasion of 1974 and during the inter-communal violence of 1963/4. The remains of around 900 of those who were listed as missing have been identified, but over 950 have not been.
The relatives of those who are still missing have suffered for decades. The missing persons issue is a humanitarian and social tragedy that still affects so many today.
More info: https://www.icmp.int/where-we-work/europe/cyprus/
- What can be done to resolve the issue?
A crucial part of determining the fate of the missing persons of Cyprus is obtaining information to help piece together stories that might lead to someone’s loved one being identified.
Turkey has a vital role to play. In 1997, President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash agreed to provide each other with all information at their disposal on the location of graves of the missing. However, a lot of that information remains in Turkey’s military archives and areas under Turkish military control. Furthermore, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Turkey has violated multiple articles of the European Convention on Human Rights regarding the missing persons issue of Cyprus. Turkey should release all information it has to the CMP.
- Who are the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP)?
The Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP) is an organisation established in 1981 by the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities with the participation of the United Nations. Following the establishment of an agreed list of missing persons, the CMP’s objective is to recover, identify, and return the remains of 2,003 persons (492 Turkish Cypriots and 1,511 Greek Cypriots) who went missing during 1974 and 1963/4, to their families.
The CMP does not attempt to establish the cause of death or attribute responsibility for the death of missing persons. Its objective is a humanitarian one, bringing closure to thousands of affected families through the return of the remains of their missing relatives.
More info: https://www.cmp-cyprus.org/
- What are the latest facts and figures?
There are over 950 Cypriots still missing.
More facts and figures: http://www.cmp-cyprus.org/content/facts-and-figures
If you have any information at all that may help, you may submit it anonymously in the box below and we will pass this on to the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus.