Europe’s human rights watchdog urged Cyprus to permit nearly 35 asylum seekers trapped in a UN buffer zone to seek asylum. These migrants face poor living conditions and limited access to basic supplies. Cypriot authorities are balancing migration control with international obligations, as ongoing reports highlight the need for humane treatment of migrants.
Europe’s top human rights body has called on Cyprus to allow nearly 35 stranded asylum seekers, including children, to enter the asylum process. Locked within a UN buffer zone for months, these migrants—originating from nations like Syria and Afghanistan—face dire living conditions, struggling to access basic necessities like milk and diapers. Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, highlighted the serious mental and physical health risks including suicide attempts among these vulnerable individuals.
The ongoing plight of migrants in Cyprus reflects a broader challenge facing the island, steeped in historical complexities stemming from its ethnic division since the 1974 Turkish invasion. The buffer zone established between the Turkish Cypriot north and Greek Cypriot south is under UN control. While the Cypriot government has taken measures to manage migration, it faces pressure to comply with international obligations to support asylum seekers. The recent surge in enforcement measures has sharply reduced crossings from north to south, straining the asylum system.
The situation for stranded asylum seekers in Cyprus highlights a stringent migration policy that sometimes clashes with humanitarian obligations. O’Flaherty’s letter emphasizes the need for Cyprus to balance its border security efforts with its commitments to international law. While the government promises to resolve the situation and provide necessary aid, ongoing scrutiny from human rights bodies underscores the importance of treating migrants with care and dignity.
Original Source: www.seattletimes.com
