The Committee on Missing Persons opens exhibition in New York

UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki Moon, has expressed hope that the experience of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP) can inspire broader efforts at bi-communal cooperation in Cyprus and beyond.

In his remarks at the opening in New York of a photo exhibition entitled “Beneath the Carob Trees” on the CMP work, the Secretary-General said that the Committee has achieved impressive results, stressing that its work is a critical step towards reconciliation in Cyprus.

“Its bi-communal teams of young Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot archaeologists have operated across the island and located and exhumed the remains of more than half of all missing persons. Of these, more than a third have been identified and returned to their families,” he said. He added that “all of this work has taken place in the absence of a comprehensive political settlement,” noting that “this powerfully demonstrates that when there is political will, effective cooperation between the two sides yields results.”

“It is my hope that the CMP experience can inspire broader efforts at bi-communal cooperation in Cyprus and beyond,” Ban said, adding that “Cyprus is a gateway to the Middle East, a region which today has the highest number of missing persons in the world.”

He noted that over the past three years, more than two dozen scientists from Iraq and Lebanon have been trained in the recovery and identification of human remains by the CMP, adding that cooperation with other countries, such as Iran, is due to begin later this year.

The book “Beneath the Carob Trees – The Lost Lives of Cyprus” by Rory MacLean and Nick Danziger was also distributed during the event.

Referring to the exhibition, the Secretary-General said that it tells a sombre story and shows how consequences of atrocities and their impact on lives can endure over decades.

“At the same time, these photographs offer a measure of solace. They illustrate the successful efforts in identifying human remains and in providing closure and dignity to long suffering families,” he added.

Ban expressed hope that the Committee can continue its efforts to find the nearly 1000 individuals yet to be recovered, and confidence that “work can continue to be an inspiration to others dealing with similar challenges.”

All three members of CMP underlined the particular importance of organising this event at the UN seat. The Third Member of the Committee, Paul-Henri Arni, spoke about the drama related to the issue of missing persons, adding that no person must experience such a spiritual hardship and uncertainty. He added that the exhibition will remain at the UN premises in New York until 10th June and will then be presented at the European Parliament in Brussels, and following that at the UN headquarters in Geneva.

Greek Cypriot member of CMP, Nestoras Nestoros, said that documented evidence reflects the work done at the CMP over a ten year period and encapsulates the meaning of words and images of the harsh truth about the lives of the unjustly perished in Cyprus.

“Two thousand Turkish and Greek Cypriots perished as a result of different tragic events, which is a huge number of people for an island with such a small population. Mothers, fathers, brothers, waited anxiously over the years for a knock at the door and the return of their missing loved ones. Unfortunately, the answer that we at the CMP have to give them is not the one that they desired,” he noted.

However, this tragic reality also has another effect which has a distinct value for the missing relatives. They are able to come to terms with the fate of their loved ones and it does eventually bring closure. With great strength but in great sadness they are able to put the past behind them and move on, he added.

He said, “Today is a very special day for CMP and for me. I am here in the heart of the United Nations to epitomise the minimum tribute to the missing people of our island, Cyprus, through this modest ceremony. This is certainly unique and honorary,” he added.

He noted that “the book that we are presenting today is to be unique in character. It approaches the tragedy of decades that we are trying to soothe from another angle, not very familiar to the wider mass of people. For decades, the loved ones of the missing have been hoping that they were alive and well somewhere. Over the years various rumours have circulated, bringing more hope to these poor souls.”

Turkish Cypriot member of the Committee Gulden Plumer Kucuk said that CMP is a living project that constantly adapts to the needs and developments on the ground. The CMP work has changed Cyprus.

“Through this project I have learned that war and violence can destroy the future of people and how trauma is passed on to the future generations. It is very typical to heal the trauma of the relatives of the missing persons but addressing the issue and bringing closure to the issue is for their generation and to close the chapter for the future generation. We are digging for the past,” Kucuk noted.