According to the UNHCR, 59 asylum seekers are living in harsh conditions in this zone, having attempted to cross from the TRNC into southern Cyprus. Hussein Zare, an Iranian migrant, shared that after arriving in Istanbul and then the TRNC, he was arrested by police while attempting to enter southern Cyprus and brought to the buffer zone.
Cyprus's migration ministry stated that the decision to block these individuals is aimed at preventing the buffer zone from becoming a migration route. The Cypriot government has criticized Turkey for allegedly allowing irregular migrants to cross into the buffer zone and has increased security along the divide.
Migrants in the buffer zone have sought legal help from the UNHCR to apply for asylum in Cyprus, but their applications have been rejected. The Cypriot government claims that Turkey should handle asylum requests for those who traveled through its territory.
British High Commissioner Irfan Siddiq highlighted the dire conditions faced by the migrants and called for an urgent solution to relocate them and process their asylum claims.
Among those stranded are Mudassir, an Afghan who fled Taliban rule, and Lawrence, a Nigerian who escaped anti-LGBTQ persecution. Both expressed despair over their current situation and the harsh conditions they face.
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