Canada’s High Commissioner Visits Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus

Canada’s High Commissioner, Keith Morrill, visited the anthropological laboratory of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP), on July 4.

This is a bi-communal initiative founded by the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities with the participation of the United Nations.

The High Commissioner, who was accompanied by Debbie DesRosiers, Counsellor and Honorary Consul Dr. Rita Severis, had the opportunity to meet with CMP members and scientists and learn about the work of the Committee.

Canada is a proud supporter of the bi-communal work and invaluable efforts of the Committee for Missing Persons to bring closure to a painful period in Cyprus’ past.

The scientists and members of the CMP expressed their appreciation for a recent Canadian donation which funded the purchase of archaeological tools as well as research by a professional researcher in Canadian archives for information on possible burial sites of missing persons in Cyprus.

The primary objective of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus, is to enable relatives of missing persons to recover the remains of their loved ones, arrange for a proper burial and close a long period of anguish and uncertainty.

Most Cypriot families have been directly or indirectly affected and it is hoped that the healing of old wounds will in turn favour the overall process of reconciliation between both communities.