Stranded Asylum Seekers in Cyprus Buffer Zone
An asylum seeker walks among at a makeshift camp in the UN controlled buffer zone in the Aglandjia area of Cyprus’ capital Nicosia, July 30. [Yiannis Kourtoglou/Reuters]
Asylum seekers have been stranded in a UN controlled buffer zone splitting Cyprus for weeks, caught up in the conflict which divides the island and a government getting increasingly tough on migration.
Over three months, around 40 people have been trapped in no-man’s-land, facing harsh conditions without basic amenities. The government refuses their entry, leading to a humanitarian crisis that requires urgent attention.
Individuals, including women and children, are living in dire circumstances, lacking essentials like water and electricity. The United Nations has expressed concerns about their well-being and safety in these conditions.
Despite international conventions obliging Cyprus to provide assistance, the government has been unwelcoming to these migrants. The situation is further exacerbated by the suspension of asylum applications, leaving vulnerable individuals like Sapien, 30, feeling hopeless and abandoned.
It is crucial for Cyprus to uphold its humanitarian obligations and provide support to those in need, ensuring access to asylum procedures and dignified living conditions for all asylum seekers.