Disappearance Should Not Be Politicized: BRTK’s Stance
Turkish Cypriot Member of the Committee on Missing Persons Provides Update on Identification Process
Hakkı Müftüzade, a Turkish Cypriot member of the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP), recently shared an update on the committee’s ongoing work with the Turkish Agency Cyprus (TAK). According to Müftüzade, the committee has made significant progress in identifying missing persons.
Out of the 2,020 missing persons, 1,051 have been identified to date, thanks to the tireless efforts of the committee. One recent success was the excavation of the Atlılar Mass Grave, where the remains of 37 individuals were found. These remains have been sent to a laboratory in the buffer zone for anthropological analysis and DNA testing.
Müftüzade emphasized the meticulous nature of the DNA testing process, which is carried out in a leading laboratory in America. With a 99.8 percent accuracy rate, the DNA tests ensure that missing family members are identified correctly. However, Müftüzade also acknowledged that the process of finding and identifying missing persons is lengthy and challenging.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, excavations in military zones have continued without interruption. Müftüzade highlighted the importance of not politicizing the issue of missing persons, referencing statements made by Greek Cypriot officials that went against an agreement between leaders not to politicize the issue.
Müftüzade expressed regret over these statements, noting that politicizing the issue only serves to upset the families of the disappeared and does not change historical facts. He emphasized the need for continued cooperation and dedication to the identification process to bring closure to the families of missing persons.
