Support to the Committee on Missing Persons - Phase 12

 

Photo Credit: www.cmp-cyprus.org

 

The Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP) project on the exhumation, identification, and return of remains of missing persons, is a bi-communal undertaking, whereby the process is carried out by a bi-communal team of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot scientists and has resulted in international recognition of the CMP as an example of cooperation between the two Cypriot communities.
 

Addressing the issue of missing persons in Cyprus and recovering their remains is an imperative part of the healing process, not only for the relatives of the victims themselves, but for the Cypriot society in general. As such, the CMP project contributes towards strengthening a positive momentum in the continuing efforts to restore trust and foster reconciliation between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.

Within 2021, the milestone of having identified more than 50% of the missing persons has been accomplissed. This is a significant achievement considering the years passed. This milestone gives encouragement to the people involved to continue the efforts and is evidence that this project actually has tangible results.

The CMP adopted a four-year strategy in 2021 for the years 2021-2024, that builds on previous strategies and proposes new methodologies to address major challenges helping to speed up the CMP Project and provide answers to the families of missing persons.

To learn more about this project www.cmp-cyprus.org

The European Union is the main financing source for the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) in Cyprus, with a total contribution of €33.3 million to date. The amount includes the European Commission’s recent agreement with the UNDP which  provided an additional €2.6 million for the work of the CMP aiming first of all to increase the number of remains of missing persons returned to their families but also to build local capacity and trust between communities.

 


Furthermore, since 2006 CMP received funding from more than 20 countries, communities, and foundations amounting to a total of €8,764,210 in donations. CMP needs to find an additional €600,000 from other donors to implement its activities in 2022.

UNDP, in full synergy with the overall mandate of the Committee of Missing Persons in Cyprus, is responsible for the day-to-day administrative, financial and procurement implementation of the project.

The Committee on Missing Persons issues regular progress updates and statistical progress reports which can be viewed on their Current Statistics on CMP Progress page.

 

Photo Credit: www.cmp-cyprus.org