27ος Μαραθωνίος Αγάπης Αγνοουμένων

On the occasion of the 27th Marathon of Love for the Missing Persons in Cyprus, representatives of the Organisation of the Relatives of Missing Persons of Cyprus accompanied by representatives of the Women Organizations of Cyprus visited this morning the embassies of the United States of America and Russia and handed over the below written appeal:

«We, the relatives of persons who became missing as a result of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, accompanied by representatives of the Women Organizations of Cyprus, express our deep sympathy to all families of missing persons in Cyprus, Greek–Cypriots and Turkish-Cypriots. We expect and wish that the fate of our loved ones will be soon determined, so that the long and painful agony of so many families will come to an end. Recently, after a standstill of more than three decades, is the first time that some positive developments are taking place. As you are probably aware the Committee of Missing Persons in Cyprus (C.M.P) has been reactivated and continues for five years now its work, which concentrates on a project of exhumations, identifications and the return of remains. Until now 270 families from both communities have been notified about the discovery and the identification of the remains of their loved ones.

The identification and the return of remains, for humanitarian and religious reasons are considered as a positive step. However C.M.P until now has not been able to secure the cooperation of all parties concerned which would enable it, to start the needed effective investigation. This investigation is clearly specified in the ECHR Judgment of May 10, 2001 in the case Cyprus Vs Turkey. The lack of an effective investigation and Turkey’s refusal till now to release all relevant information, it is not only depriving the relatives from the right to the truth, but it is also creating the tragic possibility that for more than half of the total number of missing persons, which means more than 1.000 persons, their fate will remain undetermined for ever.

For the sake of Human Dignity and internationally accepted rights we make an appeal to all who can help. We ask you to work towards securing the necessary cooperation, so that an effective investigation should be pursued for all missing persons in Cyprus. This can be achieved by persuading Turkey to move in the direction of providing access to all places where missing persons were last seen, including military zones and Turkey mainland, and also access to the sources of relevant information in her possession.»

The appeal was also sent to the Embassies of the Members of the U.N. Security Council and the Embassies of the Countries members of European Union and the Holy See. Nicosia 7th April 2011 From the Organization