UN urges Cyprus to start asylum process for migrants in buffer zone

The UN refugee agency UNHCR said in a June 13 statement that it was “deeply concerned for the safety and well-being” of more than 30 asylum seekers, including seven children, who are trapped in the so-called UN buffer zone between the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish-backed north of the country.

The group, which last week reportedly numbered 27, has been trapped for around two weeks.

The northern part of the island has been occupied since the 1970s, when Turkish troops invaded in response to a Greek-backed coup. Only Turkey recognizes Northern Cyprus internationally.

Last week, Cypriot authorities declared that they would not allow the group to enter the country, expressing concern that the Turkish-backed north could become a “back door” for smugglers.

UN: Five of the group ‘removed’ from Cyprus

The UNHCR said that at least five members of the group had crossed into the south to apply for asylum, but were “removed” from a migrant center and “pushed back to the buffer zone,” according to a report by the French news agency AFP.

The group contains nationals from Cameroon, Iran, Sudan and Syria. Many are staying in makeshift tents in the zone, where area temperatures have tipped over 40 degrees Celsius over the past week.

The Cypriot government has long argued that it can no longer cope with the number of migrants and asylum seekers attempting to enter the country: More than 5% of the country’s population is made up of asylum seekers, the highest per capita share of asylum seekers of any EU state.

Cyprus authorities stand firm

Some migrants and asylum seekers attempt to sail to Cyprus by boat, often setting off from Syria and Lebanon. Many others fly into Turkey, often with valid visas, and then onwards to the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus.

From there, they make their way across the so-called Green Line, which divides the two parts of the island.

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Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides vowed last week to prevent the Green Line from becoming a “new route for illegal migrants.” He said that his country would provide help and support to the migrants in the buffer zone, but would not let them enter. The Cypriot authorities deny breaking any international conventions by refusing the group entry.

UN: ‘Asylum seekers must be given access to asylum process’

The UN has said that although it understands the concerns of the Cypriot government, “asylum seekers must be given unhindered access to asylum procedures.”

Aleem Siddique, a spokesperson for the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, which administers the buffer zone, said: “We are facing a growing humanitarian situation inside the UN buffer zone.”

Siddique continued: “These people need access to asylum procedures as provided under national, European and international refugee law.” Siddique said the UN had raised its concerns directly with the Republic of Cyprus and asked them to “address the situation.”

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The Cypriot government has already suspended the processing of Syrian asylum applications. The country is one among a growing number of EU states calling for returns of Syrians once the country is considered safe. According to reports in the local press last week, the government called on the UN to push the migrants back to the Turkish-occupied north.

With AFP and AP