Policies are being promoted to satisfy the far-right because DISY President Averof needs its votes

Statements by AKEL MP Aristos Damianou

22 November 2022, ‘Astra’ radio station

On the occasion of the specific references to the UN resolution on fences and the government’s insistence on erecting fences/barbed wire [on the buffer zone] as a way of dealing with asylum seekers and irregular migrants, AKEL MP Aristos Damianou told ‘Astra’ radio the following:

“We had warned that this measure would be both ineffective and dysfunctional. Migrants and asylum seekers are already simply bypassing the barbed wire and entering from other areas. It is also given that people in the Republic of Cyprus are involved as traffickers, people who are making money out of this issue.

All this is happening against the backdrop of an attempt by the government to present the ceasefire line as something like a line that is completely controlled, possibly because that is their plans with regard to Schengen membership. What is happening today is damaging because the image that the Republic of Cyprus is sending out is that we are creating a hard border in our own country and instead of reaching a solution on political terms we are putting up barbed wire.

This is not the solution to the migration issue. We have put forth many, many proposals. The independent candidate for President of the Republic Andreas Mavroyiannis has outlined a comprehensive proposal for the handling of the migration flows. We need respect for both international law and human rights, the effective and swift examination of applications, the deportation of those who are not entitled and the smooth integration into society of those people who are entitled to remain in the Republic of Cyprus and, of course, more European solidarity, which is non-existent on this particular case.  This is our comprehensive approach to migration and we are glad because Andreas Mavroyiannis adheres to this comprehensive approach”.

Asked to comment on a press report referring to legislation that promotes new tools to punish migrant asylum seekers who break the law, Aristos Damianou remarked: “Policies are being promoted on immigration, which satisfy the extreme right and far-right ELAM party because it is evident that DISY President and candidate Averof Neofytou needs these votes”