President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus has stated that he will not allow irregular migrants stranded in a U.N.-controlled buffer zone to enter the country, as it could open a new route for illegal migration. The 27 asylum-seekers, including individuals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Sudan, and Iran, are receiving humanitarian assistance in the buffer zone, but Cyprus is not willing to accept them.
Cyprus, a country divided since 1974, only has recognition in the south, where it enjoys full EU membership benefits. The U.N. is providing aid to the stranded migrants, but cannot process asylum applications or send them back to Turkey or the north of Cyprus.
The arrival of these migrants comes at a politically sensitive time, just before local and European Parliament elections where migration is a key issue. Cyprus has implemented measures to reduce irregular migration, including increased police patrols and expedited asylum claims processing. In a previous incident in 2021, Cameroon asylum-seekers were taken to Italy by Pope Francis after being stuck in the buffer zone for six months.
The government of Cyprus is facing pressure to uphold its obligations under EU and international law regarding asylum-seekers. The situation highlights the challenges faced by countries in managing migration flows and balancing humanitarian concerns with border security.
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