The Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection emphasises that the application and invocation of International Law cannot be selective. It notes that Turkey, from where the migrants arrived in the occupied areas, is considered a safe country for asylum purposes and is obliged to provide access to asylum procedures for migrants within its territory.
The Deputy Ministry also points out that statements made by the Spokesperson for the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) do not contribute to resolving the issue, which the Cypriot government is currently discussing with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
It underscores that, as part of effective migration management, the decision was made to “prevent the creation of channels for irregular migrants.”
In its statement, the Deputy Ministry notes that the Republic of Cyprus has repeatedly demonstrated its respect for its international obligations and provides humanitarian aid and medical care, daily, to irregular migrants already present in the Buffer Zone whenever requested.
It highlights that “the management of migration and the asymmetric flows we have experienced in recent years demonstrate our commitment and respect for International Law and our treaty obligations, a policy for which the Republic of Cyprus has received accolades from European institutions and organisations.”
The irregular migrants, it points out, arrived between July 31 and August 1, 2024, in the occupied areas from Turkey by sea, according to their testimonies. “They then entered the Buffer Zone unimpeded,” it adds, while Cyprus Police forces patrolling the area prevented the irregular migrants from exiting the Buffer Zone into the government-controlled areas.
The statement also wants to remind that the Republic of Cyprus respects its international obligations, as well as national and EU law, and thus continues effective surveillance along the Buffer Zone, in line with the Green Line Regulation.
However, it emphasises that Turkey is considered a safe country for asylum purposes and should provide access to asylum procedures for migrants within its territory.
“The Republic of Cyprus cannot bear the brunt of Turkey’s failures and be expected to assume responsibility for irregular migrants arriving in Cyprus from Turkey through the occupied areas,” it underscores, adding that “any statements made should not overlook the root cause and those responsible for placing these irregular migrants in this difficult position within the Buffer Zone.”
The Deputy Ministry stresses that “the application and invocation of International Law cannot be selective.“
It further emphasises that “at a time when the Government is engaged in discussions with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to resolve the issue of the presence of irregular migrants in the Buffer Zone, such statements do not contribute to finding a solution.”
Finally, the Deputy Ministry reiterates the government’s commitment to “taking measures for the effective management of migration in our country, and within this framework falls the implementation of the decision to prevent the creation of channels for irregular migrants.”
(information from CNA)
Case background:
Cyprus’s Deputy Minister of Immigration and International Protection, Nicholas Ioannides has said that the government does not want the buffer zone turning into an “immigrant corridor” and stressed that Cyprus will not grant entry to the stranded migrants.
Nicosia has been lobbying the European Union to declare parts of Syria as safe for repatriation.
However, the U.N. human rights office has stated that based on evidence it has gathered, Syrian refugees who fled the ongoing Syrian civil war are facing gross human rights violations such as torture and abduction on their return to Syria, while women are subject to sexual harassment and violence.
(in cyprus)
