Nicosia: The Standing Rapporteur for missing persons in Cyprus for the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), Fran§ois Xavier Bellamy, emphasized the profound significance of addressing the missing persons issue, underscoring it as a matter of life, dignity, and justice during his visit.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Bellamy expressed his commitment to understanding and supporting the ongoing efforts to provide families with answers about their missing loved ones. In a meeting with the President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou, Bellamy acknowledged the crucial role of DISY MEP Loucas Fourlas in bringing attention to this humanitarian concern and assured further support from the European Parliament.
Bellamy highlighted the need for concrete solutions, emphasizing the European Parliament’s dedication to assisting the Cypriot authorities, families, and organizations involved in this work. “Our European Parliament will put all its strengths, all its means to try to help and support the work that is being done here,” he stated.
House President Demetriou pointed out Turkey’s obligation to allow scientific excavations and stressed the importance of the EU’s SAFE programme discussions, urging for equal responsiveness to Cyprus as demonstrated in other international human rights cases. She noted the prolonged tragedy faced by families of 749 missing persons, urging for European-level assistance.
Demetriou emphasized the need for Turkey to adhere to EU rules regarding both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot missing persons, and linked this to broader issues of fair and viable solutions in the region. She also highlighted the plight of five Greek Cypriots detained in Turkish-occupied territories, calling their situation a violation of human rights and unacceptable.
Bellamy reaffirmed his commitment to addressing these issues, highlighting the importance of collective action for the release of hostages and the resolution of missing persons’ cases. He acknowledged the strong Cypriot advocacy in Brussels, emphasizing that no threats against a member state and its citizens should be tolerated.
The division of Cyprus since 1974 after the Turkish invasion has left the fate of hundreds unknown. The Committee on Missing Persons, established by the leaders of the two communities, has been working to exhume, identify, and return remains to their families. As of September 30, 2025, progress has been made with 1,707 out of 2,002 missing persons exhumed and 1,057 identified, yet challenges remain with 749 Greek Cypriots and 196 Turkish Cypriots still missing.