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The remains of five Greek Cypriots and two Turkish Cypriots were identified in 2024, highlighting the ongoing efforts of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP) to bring closure to families affected by decades-old conflicts.
As of July 31, 2024, remains were uncovered in 49 excavation sites across the island, leading to the identification of these seven individuals. In total, 16 sets of remains were discovered this year, with seven of them tied to the CMP’s official list of missing persons, and four others also successfully identified.
The CMP's work is part of a broader mission to resolve the fate of those who disappeared during the inter-communal violence of 1963-1964 and the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. Since 2006, the remains of 1,196 individuals have been exhumed, and 1,051 people—756 Greek Cypriots and 295 Turkish Cypriots—have been identified. However, the search continues, with 754 Greek Cypriots and 197 Turkish Cypriots still listed as missing.
The identification figures reflect the ongoing challenges and progress in this humanitarian effort. For instance, in 2023, the remains of 15 Greek Cypriots and one Turkish Cypriot were identified, while 29 sets of remains were recovered. 2014 saw the highest number of Greek Cypriot identifications, with 140 cases confirmed, while 2018 marked the highest number of Turkish Cypriot identifications, with 36 cases.
Since the CMP's inception, there have been various efforts to locate and identify the missing. The largest number of remains found at excavation sites was in 2015, with 159 discoveries. Between 2006 and 2024, 234 cases were analyzed but found not relevant to the CMP, while 216 other identifications were made that did not match the official list.
The CMP was established through an agreement between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders to exhume, identify, and return the remains of 492 Turkish Cypriots and 1,510 Greek Cypriots who went missing during the conflicts. Despite the progress, the fate of hundreds remains unresolved, underscoring the deep scars left by Cyprus's division.
[Source: CNA]
