A GROUP of women and children asylum seekers yesterday camped outside the Interior Ministry to protest the detention of their husbands in the Nicosia Central Prison.
The women pleaded with the state to show sensitivity to their plight, saying they lived in desperate conditions with no access to work, medical care or social benefits while their husbands were stuck indefinitely in Block 10. One of the protestors said her family has been waiting 11 years in limbo for asylum without any access to basic human rights that would let them live in dignity.
The group of women and children, mostly from Iran, held placards reading, “Our husbands and fathers are not criminals. Free them now.”
One woman holding her two infants born in Cyprus said she hasn’t left Cyprus in 10 years but has no rights to work, medical care or benefits. Her husband, an asylum seeker, has been in jail for over a year.
A nine-year-old girl said: “I go to Greek school here. I have been here seven years. I don’t want to go back to Iran. I want the President to release my father who has been in jail for four months.”
Many of the women said they would be in serious danger if they returned to Iran. But without proper access to the labour market, husbands in jail and children to feed, they all spoke of being in dire straits. The women claimed even those with cases pending before the Supreme Court were not given temporary visas or access to medical or social benefits. Given that the applications of some are still being processed, their names cannot be published for reasons of safety.
“I have been waiting for 11 years for asylum. We spoke with the Interior Ministry, the Labour Ministry and Parliament. They all gave promises and yet nothing has happened. We wait and wait,” said one.
The government’s insistence to limit asylum seekers’ employment opportunities to the farming sector has not made their plight any easier. The Ombudswoman described the limitation in a recent report as exploitation of asylum seekers by the state.
“I have two daughters, they are only allowed to work in farming in Peristerona. The farmer tells us you must collect 50 boxes of lemons a day or else go, all for £220, I pay £60 a month for the bus to go and come back in a month,” she added.
The basic wage in Cyprus is £409 a month. The net wage for a farming job comes to £195, minus the £60 bus fare; her daily wage comes to £4.50 a day.
“I couldn’t pay rent for 10 months and the landlord decided to kick us out on Christmas night. My daughter was crying her eyes out.”
A Jordanian asylum seeker who lived with her family in one room insisted that she didn’t want state handouts. “We don’t want welfare, just give us the chance to work until our papers are processed. I have two children, we all stay in one room, which includes a kitchen and bathroom. I have to hang a curtain for the bathroom door,” she said.
“My husband and I can live off a little piece of bread, but what about my children, they need food and health care. Let us work. We are human, we breathe, you see, we are flesh and blood, like everyone. Maybe one day you will be in my place, and no one will help you. Let us work, give us a chance.”
Interior Minister Christos Patsalides came out to speak with the women. He called on them to convince their husbands in Block 10 to submit their travel documents so they could be processed.
“We want to know that whoever stays in Cyprus complies with the legal procedures, and first of all must submit his documents,” he said.
Those who did not co-operate with the state would not be able to solve their problems.
“Our position is clear, those who co-operate will come out of detention… we will not operate under blackmail and we will not let someone whose identity is unknown to roam freely in the Republic of Cyprus.”
As he walked back to his office, one woman screamed after him, creating a small disturbance with police protecting the main gate.
“I have been here eight years. I have four children. I cannot work. I want to ask him a question. Why?” she cried behind him.
KISA (migrant support group) representative Doros Polycarpou said the detained men had no reason to believe the minister since he did not keep his word regarding the eight asylum seekers who protested on top of a Central Prison water tank last year.
“If people get new passports, they can be deported. He went back on his word given to the eight on the water tank. Why should these people believe him now?” he asked.
Around eight women and four children set up camp yesterday afternoon outside the ministry. One woman said: “We will stay here until we get an answer. We have no choice. There is nothing left for us to do. I just hope the children don’t get sick.”
