Statement by Christos Christofides, Secretary of AKEL Nicosia – Kyrenia District Organisation, on the situation that has evolved in Pournara and the reactions of local community leaders

 

10 December 2021, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

The situation at the “Pournara” Reception Centre for Migrants and Asylum Seekers in Kokkinotrimithia, a reception centre which should have accommodated 600 people for a few days and now accommodates 2,500 people many of them for many months, is really difficult and objectively creates difficulties for neighbouring communities too.

The overcrowding in this particular centre and in this particular area creates real, existing issues and problems for the communities in the area. But to find a solution to the problems, the crucial question must first be answered: What is the root cause of the problem?

The root cause of the problem is the unacceptable and irresponsible handlings made by the Anastasiades-DISY government, which is overcrowding people into the reception centre of the region, creating at the same time severe problems for both migrants themselves and the region’s residents.

We would at the same like to point out the following:

1. Cyprus, like all states, is obliged to comply with international and European law. This means that the Republic of Cyprus is obliged to accept asylum seekers, to provide them with access to asylum services and examine their applications swiftly and efficiently. For this purpose, Cyprus receives funds from the European Union. More specifically, for asylum and migration policy purposes, our country will have drawn 250 million euros by 2024. For the current period, EUR 4 million have already been allocated for the ‘Pournara’ reception centre. It is a wonder what handlings have been done when we learn that people staying in ‘Pournara’ are often deprived of basic elementary necessities for their survival and hygiene.
2. The Anastasiades government is being scrutinized not only for the management of the funds in question, but also for the handling of the migration issue in general.
3. The government’s indifference and incompetence has created an explosive situation both at the “Pournara” Reception Centre and elsewhere. It should be noted that in 2012 there were 1,200 asylum applications pending. Today there are more than 18,000 asylum applications pending. Who is responsible for this state of affairs? Who else but the Government and the responsible Minister who has done little to staff the Asylum Service and speed up the processing of asylum applications?

The problems that exist and the issues raised by local people are understandable. But what is problematic are some of the demands raised by local community leaders (Kokkinotrimithia, Mammari and Deneia) which smack of racism, for example suggesting that the movement of migrants must be prohibited.

If the aim is indeed to solve the problems that are being created in the area, the attention and pressure of community leaders and residents of local communities must be directed towards the Ministry of Interior and the Government who, with their unacceptable handling of the issue and especially the handling of the “Pournara” Reception Centre, have created this difficult situation.

We fear that some of the unacceptable issues raised will be exploited by extremist fascist elements, who do not seek to solve problems of course, but to promote their inhuman ideological concepts. Such a development will do injustice first and foremost to the inhabitants of the area, who are not at all responsible for the situation that has evolved. Such an image of racist exploitation of the situation will also be directed against the Community authorities and will make it more difficult to address the issues.

AKEL will intensify its efforts, alongside the inhabitants of the region and with respect for human rights and international law so that the situation improves and the problems are overcome, holding the government ruling forces to account.