On 2 November, the Committee of Ministers closed its supervision of the European Court of Human Rights’ judgment in Vassiliou and Others v. Cyprus. This case concerns the failure to inform relatives of the progress of investigation into the disappearance of a soldier during the 1974 Turkish invasion in northern Cyprus, his possible death, and location of the body in a common grave. The relatives were not told until 1999 that information about their missing family member had been available since 1993. The Court found that the delay had prolonged their suffering and violated their right to respect for family life.
To address the Court’s findings, the Law Office of the Republic of Cyprus gave the Service for Missing Persons guidance on its duty to inform relatives about developments in investigations. The Service confirmed that relatives can request information and copies of case files, receive updates, and have relevant information recorded in the files.
