Published on 13.2.25

PEACERETURN: Council of Europe report explores the complexities of returnee reintegration

Latest report of the Council of EuropeLink opens in a new window included an overview based on the contribution of Professor Neophytos Loizides, entitled Reintegration of Returnees: Exploring Complexities and Human Right Considerations. The report was commissioned by the Council of Europe Project "Facilitating Access to Human Rights and Essential Services for Internally Displaced Persons and Returnees at the Community Level. In his report, Professor Loizides covered topics such as voluntary return concepts, factors enabling the peaceful return and integration, safeguarding the right of return and pre-return counselling. Professor Loizides has served as ad hoc Consultant for the Council of Europe in Ukraine, Cyprus and Georgia and has been awarded several grants on the study of peaceful voluntary return most recently the ERC Advanced Grant for PEACERETURN (UKRI Horizon Europe guarantee Scheme).

Is a truth commission in Cyprus a viable next step?

PEACERETURN brought together a policy proposal for a truth commission for the missing in Cyprus. Based at PAIS an academic working group has been established to support civil society and other stakeholders in Cyprus supporting the idea. The first event in London brought together as keynote speakers Achilleas Demetriades, Meltem Onurkan-Samani and Constantine Partasides K.C. at an event which explored the humanitarian, legal, and political dimensions of the possibility of a truth and reconciliation committee for the missing persons in Cyprus. Distinguished attendees included Baroness Meral Ece, senior diplomats, academics from major universities, and members of the Turkish and Greek Cypriot diaspora.

In the photo from left to right

Ambassador Peter Millet, Professor Neophytos Loizides, Dr Meltem Onurkan-Samani, Baroness Meral-Ece, Barrister Can Yeginsu, and Warwick alumnus Raouf Jundi.