Parliament has passed a bill reducing the fine for red-light violations in Cyprus, if a car has marginally exceeded the pedestrian crossing, while maintaining a hefty fine for passing the crossing at traffic lights. The House plenary session passed the bill, proposed by DIPA MP Marinos Moushoutas, which now regulates the fine according to how … Read more
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
Minibus services have been organized by the Human Rights Platform to take Turkish Cypriots from across the north to vote in Sunday’s European parliament elections. A total of 103,269 Turkish Cypriots who live in the north have registered to vote, as well as 834 Turkish Cypriots who live in the Republic. Three Turkish Cypriots are standing as candidates in the elections.
A 58-year-old permanent resident of Cyprus was arrested for a hit-and-run incident involving a disabled woman in Paphos.
Customs officers confiscated a large quantity of cigarettes in a car at a crossing point in Nicosia. The driver was attempting to smuggle 28 boxes, each containing 200 cigarettes, through the Ayios Dhometios crossing point. The person was arrested, fined €1,755, and released after an out-of-court settlement.
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.
The Rafah border crossing cannot operate unless Israel returns control to the Palestinians, according to Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. Israel took over the crossing last month during its offensive against Hamas in Rafah, which serves as the only connection to the outside world for Gaza’s residents. Shoukry emphasized the importance of the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty for regional security and stability. Egypt suggested European monitors at the border if Palestinian authorities resume control. Israel is attempting to destroy tunnels between Gaza and Egypt used by Hamas, but Egypt denies their existence. Shoukry urged Hamas and Israel to accept a ceasefire proposal from U.S. President Joe Biden. Israel has accepted the framework deal for ending the Gaza war but believes it requires more work.
Claudia Sheinbaum is set to win a landslide victory to become Mexico’s first female president, with provisional results showing her leading with 59% of the vote.
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.