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Interdisciplinary Workshop on Enforced Disappearances (3–4 November 2025, UCY)
We are excited to announce our first public interdisciplinary workshop on enforced disappearances. The event brings together leading voices from law, political science, sociology, history, forensics, and art to explore how societies confront disappearance, memory, and justice—with cases from Northern Ireland, Libya, Kurdistan, and Cyprus.
Dates: 3–4 November 2025
Venue: University of Cyprus — LRC 014 & Leventis B108
Cost: Free (please register in advance for catering)
Register here
The schedule in short
Monday, 3 November — LRC 014 (except evening debate)
11:00–13:00 · Historical and Political Perspectives
Chair: Dr. Aphrodite Papachristodoulou
Speakers: Dr. Alexandros Zachariades, Prof. Gerasimos Tsourapas, Dr. Bahar Baser, Dr. Nikandros Ioannidis
Room: LRC 014
In brief: Colonial legacies, origins of the crime, and the logics of targeting—key cases that shaped practice and scholarship.
14:30–16:30 · Dealing with the Past & Transitional Justice
Chair: Dr. Iosif Kovras
Speakers: Prof. Charis Psaltis, Prof. Neophytos Loizides, Prof. Cheryl Lawther, Prof. Nicos Trimikliniotis
Room: LRC 014
In brief: Mechanisms of transitional justice—truth-seeking, reparations, institutional reform—addressing victimhood, accountability, and human rights in contexts of disappearance.
18:00–20:00 · In Conversation: Lawyers Confronting the Past (Public Debate)
Moderator: Prof. Natasa Mavronicola
Discussants: Mr. Achilleas Demetriades, Prof. Kieran McEvoy
Room: Leventis B108
In brief: Legal activism in deeply divided societies—how law engages with truth, accountability, and reconciliation (comparative insights from Cyprus, Northern Ireland, and beyond).
Tuesday, 4 November — LRC 014
09:00–11:00 · Legal Perspectives
Chair: Dr. Aris Constantinides
Speakers: Prof. Natasa Mavronicola, Ms. Natasa Iacovou, Dr. Nikolas Kyriacou, Dr. Nasia Hadjigeorgiou
Room: LRC 014
In brief: Domestic and international responses to enforced disappearance—pursuing accountability, the role of legal frameworks, and the limits/pitfalls of legalism.
11:30–13:30 · Forensic Perspectives
Chair: Dr. Nikandros Ioannidis
Speakers: Prof. Geoff Knupffer; Dr. Melanie Klinkner & Ms. Emily Fisher; Ms. Maria Mikellide; Ms. Gulbanu Zorba & Ms. Theodora Eleftheriou
Room: LRC 014
In brief: Forensic identification and its ethical/practical challenges; comparative applications in post-conflict and divided societies (e.g., Northern Ireland, Cyprus).
14:30–15:30 · ERC Funding Opportunities
Lead: Mr. Benjamin Pelletier (ERC Scientific Officer)
With: UCY Research & Innovation Support Service and ERC PIs (Q&A)
Room: LRC 014
In brief: What’s new at the ERC, practical guidance on proposal development & submission, and support available at UCY—open Q&A.
16:00–18:00 · Documentary Screening & Q&A — Hold Still
With: Dr. Noemi Levy-Aksu, Dr. Zerrin Özlem Biner
Room: LRC 014
In brief: A Kurdish lawyer fights for justice alongside families of the disappeared (1995). Screening followed by Q&A with contributors.
More details about our speakers will be posted soon.
We look forward to welcoming you to UCY for two days of dialogue, evidence, and collective learning.
Register here
If you have any questions about the event, feel free to reach out at vasileiou.elpida@ucy.ac.cy.