Filenews 5 October 2024
It created more problems than the barbed wire fence that was placed in some areas of Nicosia along the Green Line in 2020 to stem migratory flows from the occupied areas, with the result that, four years later, it was decided to dismantle it.
In fact, in the first year of its installation by the previous government, namely 2020-21, arrivals of irregular migrants through the Green Line increased by 155%, according to data from the Aliens and Immigration Service. Specifically, while in 2020 4,050 migrants had arrived through the occupied areas, in 2021 arrivals amounted to 11,500. Most of them entered from the areas of Peristerona, Mammari, Orkontas and Astromeritis.
The decision to install the barbed wire was taken on 9/9/2020 when Nouris was Minister of Interior and there were many reactions from residents of remote areas, because they were struggling in their effort to access their fields and some to their homes. In fact, protest meetings had been organized, and as soon as the fence was installed, it was found that it was practically not inaccessible, since by placing a simple piece of wood one could pass over.
At the same time as the construction of the fence, the recruitment of contracted special police officers, known as border guards, had been promoted and patrolled along the Green Line. Initially, a fence of 14 kilometers length was installed and it was intended to place another six kilometers in the area of the border of Athienou. However, there were reactions from the residents and the barbed wire that was intended for this purpose was left in the warehouses.
The countdown to its removal has begun, when from 2023 there has been a significant reduction in migratory flows through the occupied territories. As reported to "F" by an officer of the Aliens and Immigration Service (YAM), while previously 100-120 irregular migrants came daily through various points of the Green Line, now 10-12 come daily, mainly from the areas of Vlorë and Pyroi. This decrease is due to several factors, but mainly to the presence of police along the confrontation line that acts as a deterrent, plus the fact that the processing of asylum applications for Syrian refugees has stopped.
Another element that played a role in reducing migratory flows is the blocking in the buffer zone of those persons who allowed UNFICYP members to enter it and cross into the free areas. This project took place in two areas in Nicosia, one in Aglantzia and one in Apliki. Migrants who entered the buffer zone with the tolerance of members of the Peacekeeping Force were intercepted by police patrols and were not allowed to cross into the areas controlled by the Republic. The issue created tension between UNHCR and the Republic of Cyprus, but President Christodoulides was clear on the issue, stating that our side does not want the buffer zone to become a new transit route for irregular migrants. The issue is being examined and there is consultation between the two sides to find a solution.
The barbed wire did not have the expected results, according to a police report
Due to all these developments, recently the Deputy Minister of Migration and Asylum, Nikolas Ioannidis, came to an agreement with the Minister of Justice, Marios Hartsiotis, to prepare a report on the usefulness of the fence. The report was prepared by the YAM after studying all the data and its conclusion was that the placement of the barbed wire did not help stop the migratory flows.
As Mr. Ioannidis told "F", after the Police report in which it is recorded that operationally the placement of the barbed wire did not help reduce flows, while, at the same time, several people suffer daily in the affected areas, after their properties were divided in half, it was decided to get a proposal to the Council of Ministers for its removal. The proposal was approved last Wednesday and now the formalities remain to begin its unravelling.
According to the deputy minister, because the fence cost a lot, it was decided that the barbed wire would be taken by the National Guard for its needs for the fencing of camps. Also, the barbed wire from six kilometers that remained unused has already been received by the National Guard.
Mr. Ioannidis stressed that along with the decision to remove the fence, it was agreed to increase the surveillance of the Green Line by patrols. Tightening police controls would prevent migrants from leaving, he said.
For his part, the Minister of Justice, Marios Hartsiotis, told us that following a thorough and detailed police report, it appeared that the fence did not have the expected results in preventing the arrival of irregular migrants. In addition, it created problems for farmers in the areas where it was placed. Following this, he said, the recommendation to the co-competent Deputy Ministry of Migration was that under the current circumstances, it is appropriate to remove it. The barbed wire will be used by the National Guard, while, at the same time, it was decided that at the point where it will be removed, there will be increased surveillance both at the level of patrols and surveillance through cameras.
The removal of the fence is now a matter of days for the National Guard to take it and decide in which camps to place it.
50% reduction in asylum applications this year
The original order was for a 20km long barbed wire. A 14km long barbed wire was installed in the area of western Nicosia up to Astromeritis. Also, 13 gates were placed so that Greek Cypriots who have property in the areas that were cut off can enter and exit.
The fence was 1.5 meters high and as it turned out it was not effective since migrants could pass easily. As reported to us by the Aliens and Immigration Service, currently the few irregular migrants who manage to cross into the free areas are Pakistanis, Indians, from Bangladesh and very few from Syria and African countries. As can be seen, measures have also been taken in Turkey to stop those who used to come with all ease to the occupied areas and from there to the free areas, while it seems that the démarches of the Minister of the Interior have taken place with proof that Africans come as students to the occupied areas and then immediately cross into the areas controlled by the Republic.
The decrease in arrivals from the occupied areas, combined with zero arrivals by sea, brought this year a record reduction in asylum applications reaching 50% compared to last year.
