**Title: Guterres Commends Committee on Missing Persons During Nicosia Visit**
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres visited the anthropological laboratory of the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) in Nicosia on Wednesday, where he expressed his profound appreciation for the committee's ongoing efforts to address the plight of missing persons in Cyprus.
During his visit, Guterres was briefed by members of the CMP, which includes representatives from both the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, as well as UN officials. The committee's work focuses on the humanitarian mission of locating, identifying, and returning the remains of individuals who have been missing for decades due to the intercommunal violence that began in 1963 and the Turkish invasion in 1974.
The Secretary General praised the CMP's bicommunal approach, highlighting its significance in providing “long awaited answers” to families who have suffered from uncertainty regarding the fate of their loved ones. Guterres noted the importance of the committee's work in fostering reconciliation and healing among the communities on the island.
Accompanying Guterres during the visit were several high-ranking UN officials, including Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Undersecretary General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs; Jean Pierre Lacroix, the Undersecretary General for Peace Operations; and Khassim Diagne, the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative in Cyprus and head of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
The CMP was established in 1981 under the auspices of the United Nations following an agreement between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. Its exhumation, identification, and return of remains project became operational in 2006. The European Union has been the principal financial contributor to the CMP, supporting its humanitarian mission.
As of June 30, the CMP reported that a total of 1,719 of the 2,002 missing persons from Cyprus have been exhumed. Of these, 1,075 individuals have been identified and their remains returned to their families for burial. The committee's records indicate that among the 1,510 Greek Cypriots reported missing, 764 have been identified, while 746 remain unaccounted for. For the 492 Turkish Cypriots listed as missing, 311 have been identified, leaving 181 still missing.
The CMP continues to rely on international donor support to sustain its vital work in locating and identifying the remains of those who disappeared during the turbulent periods of Cyprus's history. Guterres's visit underscores the ongoing commitment of the United Nations to support the CMP in its humanitarian efforts, which are crucial for the families seeking closure and for the broader goal of reconciliation on the island.
The work of the CMP not only serves a humanitarian purpose but also plays a significant role in the peacebuilding process in Cyprus, as it fosters dialogue and cooperation between the two communities. The Secretary General's recognition of the committee's efforts highlights the importance of continued support and collaboration in addressing the legacy of conflict and the need for healing in Cypriot society.