Nicosia: Fran§ois Xavier Bellamy, the Standing Rapporteur for missing persons in Cyprus for the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), emphasized the critical importance of addressing the missing persons issue as a matter of human dignity and justice. During his visit, Bellamy expressed his commitment to understanding and assisting in finding solutions for the families affected by this ongoing tragedy.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Bellamy met with Annita Demetriou, President of the House of Representatives, where he pledged to support the efforts of the Cypriot authorities, families, and associations involved in resolving this issue. Bellamy acknowledged the need for concrete solutions and assured that the European Parliament would utilize all its resources to aid in this endeavor.
Demetriou emphasized Turkey’s responsibility to permit scientific excavations and highlighted the urgency of addressing the issue, given the prolonged suffering of families over the past five decades. She appealed for European assistance, stating that 749 individuals remain unaccounted for, with both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot families affected.
Bellamy reiterated his commitment to fulfilling his responsibilities and expressed agreement that there should be no double standards in addressing such humanitarian issues. He underscored the importance of collective action to secure the release of individuals detained in Turkish-occupied territories and to resolve the issue of missing persons.
During his visit, Bellamy also engaged with the Standing Committee on Refugees-Enclaved-Missing-Adversely Affected Persons, stressing that the issue is an ‘open wound’ and a priority for the EU. Nicos Kettiros, Chairman of the Committee, reiterated the need for equal treatment of missing persons from both communities.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, following the Turkish invasion which left 37% of the island occupied. The Committee on Missing Persons, established by the leaders of the two communities, continues its efforts to exhume and identify the remains of those who went missing during the conflicts of 1963-1964 and 1974. As of September 30, 2025, 1,707 of the 2,002 missing persons have been exhumed, with 1,057 identified, leaving many families still seeking closure.