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
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 number of irregular migrant arrivals in Cyprus has significantly decreased following the suspension of asylum applications for Syrian nationals.
Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou and Greek Cypriot Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Christos Stylianides discussed migration and the Greece-Cyprus INTERREG Cross-Border Cooperation Programme. They emphasized the importance of supporting countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region, particularly Lebanon, in strengthening their migrant reception and hosting systems. The successful implementation of the cooperation programme led to institutionalized collaboration between the two countries to address challenges in managing migratory flows. A new strategic project involving the procurement of surveillance vehicles was submitted for the new programming period 2021-2027. Both ministers reaffirmed their high level of cooperation and agreed to explore additional synergies to increase readiness and response to operational challenges.
People sent to Pournara migrant reception centre in Cyprus were placed in containers without electricity or hot water, crammed next to each other in unhygienic conditions.
Fifteen Syrian irregular migrants arrived in the border region of Tylliria, crossing from occupied Limnitis to the free areas and Kato Pyrgos. They were spotted by a police patrol and consisted of nine men, four women, and two children aged eight. They will be taken to the Pournara migrant accommodation center in Kokkinotrimithia by bus.
Fact: Police successfully identified four potential victims of human trafficking during a real-time training exercise organized by Frontex.
Far-right Elam has proposed to halve the time refugees have to file asylum applications or appeals in court, with government-supporting parties showing support for the idea.
Cyprus is suspending the processing of asylum applications due to an increase in Syrian arrivals from Lebanon. The country wants EU partners to reassess the safety of certain areas in Syria to block asylum applications. MEP Fabienne Keller expressed scepticism, highlighting the challenges posed by Syria’s unstable situation and authoritarian leadership. Keller emphasized the need for support for Cyprus, as it faces a high number of asylum applications per capita. Meanwhile, MEP Tomas Tobé called for EU member states to unite and address the migration crisis collectively, urging a common position on Syria. Cyprus wants EU partners to reconsider the status of Syria, as it believes certain areas are safe for returnees.
A 16-year-old was arrested as the navigator of a boat carrying 73 Syrian migrants that arrived in Larnaca. Another boat with 37 irregular migrants was also intercepted off Cape Greco.