Achilleas Demetriades has outlined to representatives of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot parties his proposal on a Truth Commission for Cyprus, in the context of the regular meetings, hosted by the Slovak Embassy in Cyprus.
Slovak Ambassador to Cyprus Martin Bezak, who hosted the meeting, at the Home for Cooperation, welcomed all the representatives and noted with interest both the presentation as well as the discussion that followed.
Mr Demetriades, presenting his proposal, said he would address more the legal aspect of this idea. A Truth Commission for Cyprus is still on the table, he noted, commenting on recent developments in efforts to resume negotiations for a political settlement. Cyprus President Nicos Christodoulides has endorsed the proposal and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar has not rejected it.
He analysed clearly and in full detail how a Truth Commission would work and explained the four legal steps that need to be taken towards setting up a Truth Commission: amend the CMP terms of reference, amend the 1981 UN General Assembly resolution, amend the evidence Law and approve internal regulations for the Commission.
The state, Mr Demetriades pointed out, has a legal obligation to inform the relatives of the 1051 missing persons whose remains have been identified about the circumstance of their disappearance or death.
A Truth Commission in Cyprus would be an excellent confidence building measure and it can be used as an example for the truth in other issues too, he noted.
If peace talks start, it would be a priority to establish a Truth Commission. If they do not, it will be a necessity, he said in his concluding remarks.
