**New DNA Method to Identify Cyprus’ Missing from Turkish Invasion**
Cyprus has initiated the use of an advanced DNA testing technique to identify the remains of Greek Cypriot soldiers and civilians who went missing during the Turkish invasion of 1974. This decision comes after conventional identification methods proved ineffective for decades, primarily due to the exposure of remains to various chemical substances that compromised the genetic material necessary for standard DNA analysis.
In a statement released on Friday, the office of the presidential commissioner detailed the new approach, which employs a method known as "massive parallel sequencing." This cutting-edge genetic analysis technique allows for the extraction of information from remains that were previously unidentifiable through traditional means. The implementation of this program follows a cabinet decision made on April 21 to allocate €1 million specifically for specialized genetic testing aimed at resolving the long-standing issue of missing persons.
The genetic testing is being conducted by the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING) and is guided by a scientific protocol developed in collaboration with state anthropologists. Laboratory procedures have already commenced, with the first bone samples undergoing analysis. The initial focus is on skeletal remains deemed most suitable for both anthropological and genetic examination, with further sampling planned as part of an agreed scientific strategy.
For many years, the remains of missing persons could not be reliably identified due to damage inflicted by earlier chemical treatments. Officials have expressed optimism that the new methodology represents a significant advancement in the quest to identify these remains, offering a "new scientific possibility" that could yield answers previously thought unattainable.
The presidential office emphasized that the ongoing work will be conducted with "absolute respect" for the humanitarian nature of the issue and the families of the missing individuals. The government reiterated its commitment to utilizing all available scientific, institutional, and financial resources to provide answers to every family still seeking closure regarding their missing loved ones.
The issue of missing persons in Cyprus remains a poignant humanitarian concern. Since the conflict, bicommunal teams of archaeologists and scientists have conducted over 1,700 excavations across the island, resulting in the exhumation of more than 1,700 sets of remains. Through forensic and DNA analysis, over 1,050 individuals from the official list of missing persons have been identified and returned to their families for burial.
The program addresses cases stemming from intercommunal violence in the 1960s as well as the Turkish invasion of 1974. Of the total 2,002 recorded missing persons from both Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, approximately 800 individuals remain unaccounted for.
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 resulted in significant loss of life and widespread displacement. According to reports from the United Nations and the Council of Europe, the conflict led to around 3,000 deaths and the displacement of approximately 160,000 Greek Cypriots and 40,000 Turkish Cypriots. The invasion also involved documented cases of systemic rape and other serious human rights violations during and after the fighting.
As Cyprus embarks on this new chapter in the identification of missing persons, families who have been waiting for decades for answers may find renewed hope through the advanced scientific techniques now being employed. The government’s commitment to resolving these cases underscores the importance of addressing the humanitarian implications of the long-standing issue of missing persons in Cyprus.