27 Refugees Stranded in Cyprus Buffer Zone

In the past two weeks, the number of illegal immigrants residing in tents within the buffer zone in Cyprus has reached 27, including unaccompanied children. These individuals may face deportation back to the TRNC.

Katia Johanna Sahar, the official spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), confirmed the arrival of these new immigrants in the buffer zone in a statement to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA).

According to Sahar, there were “unaccompanied children” among those in the buffer zone, and thirteen people were stranded on the “green line,” despite having submitted a request to the police for international protection.

Despite receiving water, personal hygiene items, and clothing, the refugees “lived in tents, endured extremely hot weather conditions, and lacked access to decent living conditions.”

Sahar stated that if the asylum seekers stranded in the buffer zone do not undergo asylum procedures, there is a risk they may be treated as criminals for illegal entry into the country and subsequently sent back to the TRNC.

The official representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees emphasized the importance of ensuring access to asylum procedures and providing decent living conditions in accordance with international, national, and EU legislation.

Reports indicate that the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, Defense, and Justice of the Republic of Cyprus have discussed the issue of immigrants from the TRNC entering the buffer zone.