Cyprus President Refuses to Let Stranded Migrants Pass Through Buffer Zone
In a press statement, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides stated that his government will not allow more than two dozen stranded asylum-seekers in the U.N.-controlled buffer zone to pass through and enter the south of the island. The 27 migrants, including individuals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Sudan, and Iran, are currently receiving humanitarian assistance in the buffer zone.
The U.N. has been providing food, water, first aid, and shelter to the migrants after Cypriot authorities refused to accept their asylum claims. Despite the U.N.’s efforts, it does not have the mandate to process asylum applications or send the migrants back to the north or Turkey.
The arrival of these migrants comes at a crucial time, just before local and European Parliament elections where migration has become a key campaign issue. Cyprus has seen a significant decrease in the number of migrants crossing the buffer zone in recent years due to stricter measures and accelerated asylum claims processing.
The situation in the buffer zone is not new, as similar incidents have occurred in the past. In 2021, Cameroonian asylum-seekers were stranded in the buffer zone for six months before being taken to Italy by Pope Francis. Cyprus authorities are wary of repeating past challenges and are working towards finding a solution that complies with EU and international laws.
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