ECHR to deliver final verdict on Cyprus missing persons case against Turkey

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will deliver tomorrow its final judgment in the case of ''Varnava and Others V. Turkey'', relating to missing persons in Cyprus.

In January 2008, the ECHR has found Turkey guilty of “continuing violation of Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights on account of failure of the authorities of the respondent state (Turkey) to conduct an effective investigation into the whereabouts and fate of the nine first applicants who disappeared in life threatening circumstances”.

The applications were introduced before the ECHR in the name and on behalf of 18 Cypriot nationals, nine of whom had disappeared during the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus. The other nine applicants are or were relatives of the men who disappeared.

The decision, in the case of “Varnava and Others v. Turkey”, was taken by six votes in favour and one against, that of judge Gonu Eronen, representing Turkey.

The Court also announced that there was violation of Article 3 which prohibits inhuman treatment and Article 5 (right to liberty and security).