UN refugee agency says pushbacks by Greek Cypriot administration should be investigated

ATHENS

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on Thursday accused the Greek Cypriot administration of pushing back migrant boats.

Appearing on a news show on public radio CyBC alongside Greek Cypriot Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis, agency’s spokeswoman Emilia Strovolidou said the UNCHR was informed that migrants on three boats had been pushed back into Syrian territorial waters last week.

"The boats were near the Larnaca port when they were turned back by police, migrants were not allowed to disembark, nor to access asylum procedures," she explained.

The incident needs to be investigated by independent organizations to ensure the application of the relevant laws regarding the rights of refugees and asylum seekers, stressed Strovolidou.

Hartsiotis dismissed Strovolidou’s arguments and told her to “pass to the police if she has information.”

Greek Cypriot authorities announced March 17, that seven bodies were recovered and two survivors had been rescued after a boat carrying migrants sank off the south coast of the island.

One day later, UNCHR accused Greek Cypriot authorities of forcing back three boats carrying 80 Syrian migrants on March 14.

The left-wing opposition AKEL party, meanwhile, urged the attorney general to launch an independent inquiry into the incident.