Filenews 3 June 2024
Thirteen migrants – including unaccompanied children – are in the buffer zone, in addition to the 14 who have been hosted in tents in the area between Aglantzia and Yeri for two weeks, bringing the total number to 27.
Katja Johanna Saha, spokeswoman for UNHCR's office in Cyprus, confirmed the new arrivals of migrants overnight, referring to "many unaccompanied children" and saying that the 13 remain trapped in the buffer zone "despite approaching the police officers and notifying them of their wish to apply for international protection (asylum)".
Mrs. Saha added that UNHCR wishes to recall that, "as provided for in national and EU asylum law, asylum seekers on Cypriot territory must be immediately referred to national asylum procedures where they can register and lodge their application, as well as to designated reception facilities."
She also said that while food, water and personal and general hygiene items and clothing are provided through UNFICYP and in cooperation with UNHCR, asylum seekers live in tents and are exposed to extreme weather conditions without access to decent living conditions.
"The refusal to refer asylum seekers trapped in the buffer zone to national asylum procedures carries the risk of chain refoulement to their countries of origin if they return to the occupied northern part of Cyprus due to the absence of an asylum system there, which often leads to the criminalization of asylum seekers for irregular transit through the UN buffer zone and the issuance of deportation decrees against them," he said.
Mrs. Saha added that access to asylum procedures and dignified living conditions should always be ensured in accordance with the principle of non-refoulement and the right to seek asylum in accordance with international, national and EU law.
Four co-competent Ministries of the Republic of Cyprus, namely the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Defence and Justice, co-manage the issue of migrants who crossed from the occupied areas to the buffer zone and are there. A competent government source said that the RoC's stance on this issue is determined by "the Green Line Regulation, the status of the buffer zone and our international obligations for refugees". There is also cooperation with the peacekeeping force in Cyprus for the needs of these people.
According to the same competent sources, meetings have been held on the issue and more will be held.
CNA
