VILLIERS PLEDGES SUPPORT TO RELATIVES OF CYPRUS MISSING PERSONS

At the beginning of March, MP for Chipping Barnet, Theresa Villiers, wrote to David Milliband MP, Secretary of state for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on behalf of constituents  belonging to the "Organisation of Relatives of Missing Cypriots", to urge the Government to make progress on establishing the truth about the fate of those who went missing during the 1974 invasion of Cyprus.

Replying as Minister for Europe, Caroline Flint MP stated that progress is being made by the UN Committee for Missing Persons and that Britain, as party to the European Convention on Human Rights, is working to urge all parties, especially Turkey, to work in partnership to resolve the issue.

Theresa Villiers MP said, “The relatives of the Missing desperately want to hear the truth about what happened to their loved ones. It is vital that the British Government continues to put pressure on Turkey to fulfil its obligations, as outlined by the European Court of Human Rights, and that the effective measures are taken to ensure that information is finally revealed about what really happened to Cyprus’ Missing Persons.”

“I will continue to work hard on behalf my Chipping Barnet constituents to lobby the British Government to keep up the pressure on Turkey to fulfil its obligations and give answers to the relatives of the Missing.”

“I will also continue to campaign for Justice for Cyprus and for a balanced, lasting and peaceful settlement to reunite the island and enable its different communities to live together harmoniously.”