Emmanuel Achiri; Co-founder of Voice Of International Students in Cyprus (VOIS) declared banned immigrant by north Cyprus government

 

Co-founder and former coordinator of Voice Of International Students in Cyprus (VOIS), Emmanuel Achiri, has been declared a banned immigrant by the government of north Cyprus. 

The news of the declaration was made known in a social media post by Achiri on Wednesday, March, 27.

According to what the TRNC’s ‘interior ministry,’ Achiri has indeed been declared persona non grata there, but failed to give a reason.

Achiri had previously lived in the north for a total of eight years, earning a doctorate from Eastern Mediterranean University. He has since moved to Belgium, where he works as a policy and advocacy advisor for the European Network Against Racism.

He had been on the island as part of an official delegation alongside members of the European Parliament and one German MP, explaining that the aim of his trip to the island was to “monitor migration management”.

VOIS is an organization formed by international students in Cyprus.

In a statement on his personal social media account about the development, Achiri said that it was thought that his declaration as a "banned immigrant" was due to his political activities, and that the issue was being investigated by his lawyers.

The Cameroonian stated that he has not yet received an official statement from the authorities of TRNC, regarding the ban.

"Learning that I am considered a threat to national security is not only disappointing, but also reckless and misidentifying myself," , Achiri said, and noted that he would explain more details later.

He stated that he came to Cyprus as part of an official delegation on Sunday, March 24, together with members of the European Parliament and a member of the German Parliament, and that their duty was to monitor the migration management. 

He stated that after landing on Sunday evening, he tried to cross to north Cyprus for personal reasons, but was stopped at the Lokmacı Barricade crossing. He noted that he was informed by the police that he was an "unwanted immigrant".

Achiri also stated that, from some findings made by himself, his friends and lawyers, it was understood that the reason for the ban was "political activities" and stated that the authorities of north Cyprus had not officially announced the entry ban.

Achiri stated that he was shocked and noted that he studied in north Cyprus for 8 years, was an exemplary student during this time, and worked as a student assistant at Eastern Mediterranean University for 6 years.

Stating that he is one of the founders of VOIS Cyprus, which represents thousands of international students and immigrants and provides them with services that the authorities and universities cannot offer, Achiri said that since the day he left Cyprus, he has made efforts to improve the relations between the European Union bodies and the authorities of north Cyprus.

Noting that he sees north Cyprus as his home, Achiri noted that he probably cares about the people living there more than most politicians do.