The Interior Minister’s irresponsible stand is dangerous

 

4 November 2022, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

Interior Minister Mr. Nouri’s irresponsible stand is dangerous. First he spread panic by lying about infectious diseases in the Pournara migrant reception centre, and subsequently retracted his statements.

As if the fact that the Minister of the Interior bears a heavy responsibility for the situation in Pournara – a situation that impoverishes those inside the Reception Centre – isn’t enough, at the same time he burdens the residents in the neighbouring local communities by continuing to play with the feelings and fears of society.

Yesterday’s fiasco encapsulates the way in which the Minister and the Government, as a whole, are handling the migration issue. That is to say, toxic xenophobic rhetoric and lies on the media and zero or dubious solutions in practice. Immigration is a serious issue and needs a Minister who is first and foremost serious and responsible.