A court ruling awarded compensation to the family of Greek Cypriot Christophis Vassileiou Passia on Friday, who was listed as a missing person in 1974. It was discovered that he was buried in the Lakatamia cemetery all along. The court held that the Republic of Cyprus has failed to make an effective investigation on the missing person’s fate, leaving his family in agony for 26 years.
The court ruling states that failure to conduct research and the agony that the relatives had been put through can be considered as a violation of Article 3 of the European Convention of Human Rights, as evidence that constitute inhumane treatment.
According to the decision, the Republic of Cyprus was aware of the graves of unknown soldiers but did not take action for many years. The remains of Passias were identified in 1999.
Passia’s wife was awarded €50,000 while his three children each received €25,000.
In the court’s ruling it is clear that this does not form a general verdict on the missing persons’ issue.
The Court places heavy responsibility on Turkey’s part for the circumstances of Passias’ death and for not providing information on his whereabouts, as he was being held by the Turkish army before his family lost trace.
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