STATEMENT BY THE UN SPOKESPERSON IN CYPRUS ON THE VISIT OF THE LEADERS TO CMP
Today, the Turkish Cypriot leader, H.E. Ersin Tatar, and the Greek Cypriot leader, H.E. Nikos Christodoulides, paid a visit to the anthropological laboratory of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP), where they were briefed about the ongoing work of the Committee.
The Greek Cypriot leader and the Turkish Cypriot leader expressed their full support to the effective work of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus, their acknowledgement and appreciation for the work carried out by the members of the Committee, the personnel of the anthropological laboratory, and all the staff involved in the Committee’s esteemed work.
They reaffirmed their conviction that the CMP conducts a purely humanitarian work, emphasized the importance of insulating the CMP from political considerations, and called upon all concerned not to politicize this crucial work.
Both leaders called upon persons who have information about possible burial sites to share this information with the CMP, reminded witnesses that they can request confidentiality for any information shared, as credible information can accelerate the whole process of location, exhumation and identification of remains of missing persons.
They highlighted the need to unceasingly continue with efforts for the location and the identification of all missing persons.
The two leaders reaffirmed their mutual understanding that CMP’s responsibility lies first and foremost with the families of missing persons as it brings closure to the affected families through the return of the remains of their loved ones for proper burial in accordance with their religious traditions and practices.
End.