President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus has stated that his government will not allow irregular migration through a U.N.-controlled buffer zone on the island. This decision comes as 27 asylum-seekers from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Sudan, and Iran are currently stranded in the buffer zone. While the government is prepared to provide humanitarian assistance to these migrants if needed, Christodoulides emphasized that the buffer zone will not become a new avenue for illegal migration.
The migrants, who include women and children, have been receiving essential aid from the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR after their asylum claims were rejected by Cypriot authorities. The U.N. has indicated that it cannot process asylum applications or send the migrants back to Turkey or the north of Cyprus. Efforts are being made to find a solution that aligns with European Union and international law.
Cyprus has seen a decrease in migrant crossings in recent years due to increased security measures, faster asylum processing, and repatriation procedures. The country also faced a surge of Syrian refugees arriving by boat from Lebanon, which has since been addressed through a deal with Lebanese authorities.
The situation with the stranded migrants in the buffer zone highlights the complex issues surrounding migration in Cyprus. As the country prepares for local and European Parliament elections, migration remains a key campaign issue. The government is navigating between its obligations under EU and international law while addressing concerns about illegal migration and asylum seekers.
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