The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in an announcement expresses deep concern for the safety and well-being of approximately 31 asylum seekers, including seven children, who are trapped in the buffer zone (BZ) in Cyprus. It is noted that “Five of them entered the Pournara reception centre to apply for asylum after crossing … Read more
Just 39 miles on the clock, trashed cars remain in limbo Eight-year-old Dickran Ouzounian treasured visiting his father Stefan’s garage, located a few metres from the bustling Ledra street, to admire the latest Toyota cars.He was fascinated by the brand-new, gleaming Corollas, Coronas, Crowns and Celicas. Now, 50 years later, as the CEO of the … Read more
There are now no land mines left within the buffer zone, sources said on Saturday.Sources from the Cypriot government told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that the Greek Cypriot side considers that demining has now been completed, and that the only minefields of which they are aware are located inside the Republic. Those minefields, they … Read more
A Polish soldier died on Thursday after he was stabbed on the border with Belarus by migrants trying to cross into the European Union, the army said, while Warsaw said it would demand Belarus hand over the person responsible for his death.The border has been a flashpoint since migrants started flocking there in 2021, after … Read more
A new influx of arrivals will not be allowed by the government in response to mounting criticism over the handling of 27 migrants stranded in the buffer zone. The migrants, including women, children, and unaccompanied minors, are from Afghanistan, Iran, Sudan, and Cameroon. The government’s handling of the matter has been criticized for violating international law. The UNHCR has warned that the asylum seekers are living in tents and exposed to extreme weather without access to decent living conditions.
Cyprus is ready to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants stranded in the buffer zone, with the Red Cross already offering aid. The country has obligations under the EU’s Green Line Regulation and is cautious about becoming a new route for illegal immigrants. Fourteen migrants from Afghanistan, Sudan, Cameroon, and Iran are stranded near a university campus in Aglantzia. The UN Peacekeeping Force and UNHCR are working to assist them, as Cyprus has temporarily suspended asylum applications and increased patrols along the buffer zone. Additionally, asylum applications for Syrian nationals have been suspended due to human rights violations in Syria.
The Cyprus government has left migrants, including women, children, and unaccompanied minors, stranded in the UN buffer zone for close to a week. Initially, there were 13 migrants, but the number has now more than doubled to 27. The migrants are from Afghanistan, Iran, Sudan, and Cameroon, and have reported themselves as asylum seekers. The government’s denial of entry violates national, EU, and international law, according to UN sources. The migrants have been stuck in tents in the buffer zone, some requiring hospital treatment. The UNHCR is making representations to the government to abide by their obligations towards asylum seekers. The government has not commented on the matter, citing that the migrants are in the buffer zone.
Fourteen migrants have arrived in the buffer zone, bringing the total number of people stuck there to 27.
Thirteen migrants, including unaccompanied children, are now stranded in the buffer zone between Aglantzia and Geri, in addition to the 14 who have been living in tents for the past two weeks. The total number of migrants is now 27. Despite expressing their desire to apply for asylum, the migrants remain trapped in the buffer zone. The UNHCR is providing food, water, hygiene products, and clothing, but the asylum seekers are living in tents and exposed to extreme weather conditions. The Republic of Cyprus is working with relevant ministries and the UN peacekeeping force to address the needs of the migrants.
Turkish Cypriots have lost confidence in the UN and Unficyp and do not consent to their presence in northern Cyprus. The funding for Unficyp in Cyprus is paid for by Cyprus and Greece, raising concerns about the impartiality of the UN forces in Cyprus. The UN could have asked the UK, Greece, and Turkey to contribute to the funding to avoid a conflict of interest. Without confidence in the UN, any proposals from them will be rejected.