Migrants trapped in buffer zone finally allowed to enter south Cyprus after six months of struggle

All migrants who were stranded in the buffer zone between north and south Cyprus have been removed from the site, the Cyprus deputy migration ministry confirmed on Saturday, putting an end to months of wrangling.

A statement by the ministry sought to stress that “these people will not be accepted in the Republic’s asylum system” but instead will be temporarily housed in the Kofinou reception centre and later be transported to other countries or deported.

“For practical reasons, these procedures could not have taken place while the migrants were in the buffer zone.”

The deputy ministry did not specify why they were transferred now as opposed to earlier, however it underlined that in the past few weeks it has been in touch with “third countries” over the matter.

“Our position remains unchanged that the Green Line will not become a migrant route.”

It stressed it would not allow efforts to use Turkey via the north and into the Republic’s territory to work successfully.

It suggested it was trying to relocate some of the migrants to other countries for which it was in talks with, or deport some of them. Several of the migrants have already been sent to the Vatican.

Kisa NGO however, put it down to an interim measure request it filed along with its partner Rule 39 Pro Bono Initiative invoking Cyprus’ obligations under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to ensure material reception conditions for these individuals, as well as to obtain access to asylum procedures and protection against refoulement.

“Last Friday, the court asked the parties for clarification on several important points, directing the Cypriot government to provide information, including whether the applicants had access to asylum procedures in Cyprus, and whether the applicants are in danger of indirect refoulement in the buffer zone,” Kisa said.

“This outstanding interlocutory result was the decisive factor that led to the government’s decision to finally allow all the refugees it had trapped in the buffer zone to enter the government-controlled areas.”
Earlier this year, dozens of the stranded migrants filed a lawsuit against the government, arguing they were being pushed back.

Though hundreds of migrants have entered the Republic through the buffer zone in recent years, in May, a shift in government policy forbade anyone to access the government-controlled areas in this way and apply for asylum.

The government cited the Green Line regulation for its refusal to allow them to apply for asylum, which raised eyebrows in UN circles whose officials have told the Cyprus Mail the government’s handling of the matter violates international law.

Conditions for the migrants living in UNHCR tents at the buffer zone were described as highly concerning, as they have been left under Cyprus’ blazing heat to deal with snakes, mosquitoes and showers with the use of a bucket.

Many reported feeling depressed and hopeless over the uncertainty which has hung over their fate since the first group of arrivals in mid-May.

The migrants stranded in the buffer zone reached the island through the north, via Turkey from countries including Somalia, Sudan, Congo, Syria, Iran and Afghanistan.

Cyprus Mail