**CMP to Launch Annual Progress Briefings Starting January 2027**
The Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP) has announced plans to initiate annual briefings aimed at updating the public on its ongoing efforts and progress regarding missing persons. The first of these briefings is scheduled for January 2027, reflecting the commitment of President Nikos Christodoulides and the government to resolve the fates of the last remaining missing individuals.
Presidential Commissioner Marios Hartsiotis' office confirmed the initiative on Wednesday, emphasizing its importance in fostering transparency and communication with the families of missing persons, relevant organizations, authorities, and the media. The briefings will take place annually in the latter half of January and are designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the CMP's activities.
Each briefing will consist of three main components: a general presentation of the actions and initiatives undertaken during the previous year, an overview of the results achieved, and updates on excavations and investigations, including findings and future plans. Additionally, the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics will present information related to the identification procedures of remains.
The CMP aims to create a consistent and meaningful process of transparency, allowing relatives and the broader community to stay informed about the progress of research, the outcomes from the previous year, and the challenges that remain. This initiative is seen as a vital step in maintaining open lines of communication with those affected by the issue of missing persons.
As of the end of July 2023, the CMP reported significant progress in its efforts. A total of 1,719 bodies have been exhumed, with 1,081 identified from the official list, alongside an additional 217 others. The identified remains have been returned to families for dignified burials, with the breakdown revealing that 317 were Turkish Cypriots and 764 were Greek Cypriots. Notably, this year alone, the remains of 18 individuals, all of whom were Turkish Cypriots, have been identified.
Established in April 1981 under the auspices of the United Nations, the CMP was formed following a mutual agreement between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, prompted by calls for a mechanism to address the issue in two UN General Assembly resolutions. The operational phase of the exhumation, identification, and return of remains project commenced in 2006, with the European Union serving as the primary financial supporter of the initiative. The CMP continues to rely on donor contributions to sustain its bi-communal efforts.
The introduction of annual briefings is expected to enhance the relationship between the CMP and the families of missing persons, providing them with a clearer understanding of the ongoing processes and the challenges faced in the search for answers. This initiative underscores the CMP's dedication to its mission and the importance of transparency in addressing one of the most sensitive issues in Cyprus's history.