The UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has accused the island's authorities of continuing to prevent refugees from applying for international protection status.
UNFICYP said another 44 people, some of whom arrived by sea, were trapped in the buffer zone near the village of Peristerona.
It is not known exactly how these people got into the territory of the Republic of Cyprus. If they did arrive by sea, this means they were taken from the coast to the buffer zone, ineligible to apply.
The new group of refugees includes Syrian citizens and Palestinians fleeing the war in Gaza.
UNFICYP spokesman Aleem Siddique said: “Overnight [from 31 July to 1 August] 44 refugees were detained. They were denied access to asylum procedures. At least four of them were detained in government-controlled areas and taken by Cypriot police to the buffer zone despite objections raised by UNFICYP and UNHCR.” He added that this situation requires urgent measures, as people live in difficult conditions in the buffer zone.
UNFICYP protested against placing people in the buffer zone. Because of this, according to the Cyprus Mail, a dispute arose between the peacekeepers and the police.
UNFICYP and UNHCR resources to hold migrants in the buffer zone are already running out. Organizations will soon be unable to continue caring for refugees trapped on the Green Line.
Commenting on the current situation, Siddique said: “Effective access to asylum procedures and adequate reception conditions for asylum seekers are obligations under international law. We remain committed to working with the government and other stakeholders to find effective solutions to protect those fleeing conflict and persecution."
Meanwhile, the far-right party ELAM welcomed the detention of 44 people. “We reiterate that the state has an obligation to prevent illegal migrants from entering government-controlled areas,” the party said, releasing a video of the arrest.
Let us recall that in May the UNHCR stated that there were 30 people in the demilitarized zone who were not given the opportunity by the Cypriot authorities to apply for refugee status. Since then, this number has risen to 59 people, excluding 44 people detained on the night of July 31 to August 1. Representatives from 12 diplomatic missions in Cyprus visited the buffer zone last week to review the situation.
The text was prepared based on materials from Cyprus Mail and Politis
Previously
Cypriot media spoke with refugees trapped in the buffer zone. The visit was organized by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Read their stories.
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