TRNC to house female refugees in old prison

The old central prisons in the TRNC will be converted to a refugee reception centre for women, the TRNC ‘interior minister’ Ziya Ozturkler said on Monday.

Speaking to Kibris, Ozturkler said the renovated building will be operational in 2023 and preparations are being made in cooperation with the refugee rights association in the north to organise a workshop on January 19 to discuss the issue.

He also referred to the need to “amend the immigration law”, saying it needs revision since it was prepared during the colonial rule in Cyprus.

Ozturkler said the “law” is not in line with the internal law and human rights, noting that refugees are not criminals and hence should not be treated as such.

Öztürkler stated that the plan was to modify the old Lefkosia State Prison building, which was left vacant after all inmates were relocated to the new prison. 

Refugees can be accommodated there while they wait for deportation to Turkey to be given asylum on the mainland.