MEP Isabel Santos, the European Parliament’s Standing Rapporteur for the missing persons in Cyprus, appealed for more cooperation to identify remains and urged witnesses to come forward with information, as time is running out.
During a press briefing with Cypriot journalists in Brussels on Tuesday, Santos noted the “heavy burden” endured by families spanning generations, waiting for news, remains, and closure for over 50 years.
The Portuguese MEP, called for collective efforts to promote conditions for the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) to succeed in its mission, including more funding to adapt to new technology and methodologies, as well as facilitating access to military files and possible burial sites. “I’m very in favour of creating some structure that can help the CMP,” she said.
She acknowledged the challenges posed by the political context but stressed the humanitarian nature of the issue. “The families have the right to dignity and the right to memory,” she asserted.
Addressing the potential involvement of the European Parliament in persuading the Turkish army, to provide access to files, Santos affirmed that they are working towards this direction. She pleaded for a humanitarian outlook and appealed to all parties involved to understand the families’ pain and cooperate for a resolution.
She underscored the need for a united approach, stating, “It’s time to stop the politicisation of this issue.”
Regarding a possible Truth and Reconciliation Committee for Cyprus, Santos said she is in favour of creating a mechanism to preserve and disseminate accurate historical information to prevent future conflicts.
Responding to questions about the accuracy of DNA tests and collaboration with witnesses, Santos expressed confidence in the CMP’s procedures and stressed the importance of witnesses’ accounts.
She urged cooperation and appealed for information, recognising the challenges posed by changing landscapes and the passage of time.
She encouraged witnesses to come forward, stating, “The real appeal that we need to deliver, is an appeal for those that have any information, please talk, go to the CMP and talk with the CMP.”
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Since then, the fate of hundreds of people remains unknown.
A Committee on Missing Persons has been established, upon agreement between the leaders of the two communities, with the scope of exhuming, identifying and returning to their relatives the remains of 492 Turkish Cypriots and 1,510 Greek Cypriots, who went missing during the inter-communal fighting of 1963-1964 and in 1974.
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