The Government must reflect on the effectiveness of its diplomatic actions on the Missing Persons issue

 

Statement by Nikos Kettirou, AKEL MP and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Refugees, Enclaved people in the occupied areas, Missing persons and War-Stricken Victims

13th July 2021

Today we discussed the developments surrounding the Missing Persons issue. We had a useful briefing and exchange of views with the competent authorities on the problems that are being identified in the process of verifying the fate of our missing persons, and at the same time on the ways in which these problems can be overcome.

I admit that in the meeting took place in an emotional atmosphere, as these days in particular stir up our memories and emotions.

During the discussion, the need for the further coordination of the research and evaluation of information was ascertained as it was acknowledged that there are witnesses who at the end of their lives and at an advanced age want to provide information on missing persons.

We were briefed that there are developments regarding the movement of remains from Ornithi village to the Dikomo garbage dump (Note: villages in the occupied areas). Next month, the architect who had undertaken the redesigning of the garbage dump will visit Cyprus with his team to assess the risk of the effort and to submit a study on how the excavation (of remains) may proceed.

The Foreign Ministry admitted that the draft Report of the UN Secretary General downplayed Turkey’s responsibility on the Missing Persons issue and I have the impression that the Ministry and the Government itself must reflect on the effectiveness of their diplomatic actions. We hope that in the immediate period ahead the necessary steps will be taken for substantive improvements to be in this and other parts of the draft report.

Our Committee will take the initiative to prepare a briefing for all Members of Parliament who participate in international organisations/bodies, so that we can contribute on our part to the effort to internationalise the problem for pressure to be put on Turkey at every level.