Background

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 overall objective of the project is to close, without further delay, a painful chapter in the history of the island and contribute to restoring trust and fostering reconciliation between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. 

Currently in the 14^th phase of its work, this activity often helps bring closure to the families. The expected output is to recover, identify and return to their families the remains of persons who went missing during the inter-communal fighting of 1963 to 1964 and the events of 1974. 

The respective CMP employees undertaking this activity work in bi-communal teams, comprised 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.

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 downloaded on their website www.cmp-cyprus.org

THIS PROJECT IS FUNDED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION

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.

LIST OF PROJECTS

Ongoing

Completed