Migrant pushbacks continue unabated

Cyprus is continuing pushbacks, it emerged on Thursday, even attempting to send migrants who arrived by sea into the buffer zone.

The issue surfaced when Unficyp confirmed to the Cyprus Mail that another 44 migrants, some of whom arrived by sea, were stranded on the edge of the buffer zone near Peristerona.

Sources said it was unclear where all 44 migrants entered the Republic’s territories, as they were intercepted overnight. Some confirmed to authorities that they arrived by sea. The migrants are Syrians and Palestinians fleeing the situation in Gaza.

Speaking to the Cyprus Mail, Unficyp spokesman Aleem Siddique said, “Overnight, 44 asylum seekers were intercepted and denied access to asylum procedures, with at least four of them having been intercepted in the government-controlled area and transferred by the Cyprus Police to the UN buffer zone despite objections raised by both Unficyp and UNHCR.”

He added that this situation requires “urgent action”.

“These people cannot be left stranded inside the buffer zone. They are facing increasingly dire humanitarian conditions,” he said.

Sources confirmed that the migrants are currently on the edge of the buffer zone, with Cyprus police arguing with Unficyp to take the migrants, despite some of them having arrived by sea.

According to information obtained by the Cyprus Mail, Unficyp and UNHCR resources for maintaining migrants in the buffer zone are running low. There is no money or food to care for these people, the sources said.

Commenting on the ongoing situation with migrants in the buffer zone, Siddique said, “Effective access to asylum procedures and adequate reception conditions for asylum seekers is an obligation under international refugee law. We remain committed to working with the government and other stakeholders to find sustainable solutions that uphold our shared responsibility to protect those fleeing conflict and persecution.”

Far-right nationalist party Elam, which is anti-migrant, lauded the arrest of the 44 people on Wednesday night. “We reiterate even more strongly the duty of the state not to allow any illegal immigrants to enter the government-controlled areas. Cyprus cannot afford any more illegal immigrants,” the party said, publishing a video of the arrest.

In May, the UNHCR said around 30 migrants were stranded as a result, a figure which it says has since gone up to 59.

Since mid-May, a growing number of migrants have been stranded in the buffer zone as the Republic refuses to grant them access to asylum proceedings.

It has cited the Green Line regulation and a toughening policy aimed at reducing the flow of migrants coming to the Cyprus through the buffer zone after arriving in the north.

Last week, representatives from 12 embassies in Cyprus visited the buffer zone to see the migrants’ situation.

British High Commissioner to Cyprus Irfan Siddiq wrote on X that despite efforts by the UN, “these people (including children) are living in dire conditions. An urgent solution is needed to relocate these people to more humane conditions and to allow for the processing of their asylum claims.”

Migrants have previously told the press they are dealing with depression and a growing sense of hopelessness as they live in makeshift tents with no clarity over what may happen to them.

Their daily reality includes washing with a bucket and living among snakes and rats.