The Council of Europe urges Cyprus to let asylum seekers in the U.N. buffer zone apply for refuge, highlighting their struggle in dire conditions. With rising mental health issues among the migrants, Cyprus faces the challenge of integrating international human rights obligations while controlling migration flows. The president assures action will be taken to resolve the situation without compromising national security.
Europe’s human rights chief is pressing Cyprus to permit asylum seekers, trapped in the U.N. buffer zone, to seek refuge. According to Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, around 35 migrants, including young children, are enduring harsh conditions in tents, lacking basic essentials like formula and diapers. Their plight highlights the dire circumstances even as they receive some aid, with two women recently attempting suicide.
The long-standing division of Cyprus has created complex challenges for asylum seekers, particularly those stranded in a U.N.-controlled buffer zone amid the geopolitical tensions of the island. After the Turkish invasion in 1974, this strip of land has remained a point of contention, with the Greek Cypriot south and Turkish Cypriot north maintaining their separate identities. As many migrants from conflict zones seek asylum in safer areas, the Cypriot government grapples with policies to manage the flow while adhering to international obligations.
The situation faced by the stranded migrants calls for urgent action from the Cypriot government. While President Christodoulides commits to addressing the matter and maintaining the integrity of border controls, the mental and physical well-being of those trapped in the buffer zone remains a pressing concern. The international community continues to watch closely, reinforcing the need for compassion and adherence to human rights standards in handling migration.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
