Objectives

The objective of the Action, as described by the Technical Committee on Crime and Criminal Matters, was to participate in a workshop at the University of Cambridge on the work of the Joint Contact Room (JCR), operated since April 2009 in the buffer zone in Nicosia with the support of the United Nations Police (UNPOL).

The Technical Committee on Crime and Criminal Matters was invited to participate in a workshop at the University of Cambridge on the work of the JCR; a mechanism operating since April 2009 in the Nicosia buffer zone with the support of the United Nations Police (UNPOL). The Committee representatives, as preparatory work, statistically analysed the JCR data to be presented at the workshop and prepared presentation materials about JCR, including its role and function, their experience and results of cases. The UN Senior Police Adviser of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) accompanied the Committee representatives along with a number of academics, PhD students and representatives from various think tanks and non-governmental organisations. Ms. Elizabeth Spehar, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of Mission of UNFICYP chaired the final session of the workshop on “Thinking Ahead: The Future of the JCR and Peacebuilding in Cyprus.”
 

During the workshop, the team undertook the following:

• Shared 10-year positive JCR experience of co-operation with an international audience of experts (academics, researchers and students).

• Presented the results of over one thousand cases of bi-communal collaboration processed by the JCR members during 05/2009-12/2018 inclusive.

• Engaged in discussion with experts concerning, the legitimacy of law enforcement agencies in a cross-border context and, also, transitional justice.

• Publicised internationally the success of the JCR concept in building bridges across the divide and enhancing trust, sending the important message that where there is a will, there is a way.

Results

The Action enabled the Committee representatives to share their JCR experiences with the international audience and to hold discussion with other experts concerning the legitimacy of law enforcement agencies in a cross-border context and transitional justice. The outcomes from the workshop are now being fed back into improving the work of the Technical Committee on Crime and Criminal matters as well as the functioning of the JCR. 

The Action contributed to the enhancement of the visibility of the Technical Committee on Crime and Criminal Matters, its successes and impact of its work and successes through media visibility. Participation in the workshop was also a good opportunity to publicize internationally the success of the JCR concept in building bridge across the divide and enhancing trust, sending the important message that where there is a will, there is a way. The publicity generated through the Workshop is expected to impact positively on the trust-building measures, improve the climate pertaining to the Technical Committees and enhance the public’s perception of the importance of trust and working together and finding solutions to issues of concern to both communities.

The Action has contributed to the strengthening of the relationship within the Committee as well as the capacity of the Technical Committee as an effective inter-communal mechanism for identifying, planning and implementing projects/initiatives that foster mutual understanding and cooperation.

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