The government must brief immigrants and foreign workers about the restrictive measures and take measures to meet their needs for a dignified living
Statement by the Migration Policy Bureau of the CC of AKEL
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 10th April 2020, Nicosia
Addressing the very serious situation we face due to the pandemic, demands, above all, a spirit of solidarity and responsibility.
This doesn’t appear to apply as far as the government is concerned in the case of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. The government’s inaction has provoked a reaction from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as well as from NGO’s. They are demanding that specific measures should be taken for immigrants and refugees, in addition to those already taken with regards the whole population.
The reaction of the competent Minister of the Interior shows that the government does not understand the substance. Instead of trying to solve the problems that have arisen from the government’s unilateral decisions, he is trying to justify them. For example, the decision not to accept asylum applications, which besides violating international law, is condemning these people to zero access to health services and benefits for their livelihood.
The government must understand that the coronavirus doesn’t distinguish anyone. The measures that are being taken must address each category of people with its own characteristics. The government must take care to brief those immigrants and foreign workers who are in our country about the restrictive measures and at the same time take measures to meet their needs for a dignified living.
