Mr. Altaf is a recognised refugee from Kashmir. He applied for asylum in 2003 and was granted the refugee status in 2011, after eight years. He is currently on strike along with other recognised refugees in front of the House of Parliament, because Cyprus does not provide for any permanent solutions for refugees. One of the most crucial problems they faced, is the fact that Cyprus in violation of the national and community Law does not provide access to refugees to citizenship irrespective of the length of their stay in Cyprus. Instead of this, Cyprus over the last years applies an active policy of deprivation of refugees from their rights with the aim to drive them to destituteness and force them to leave the country and seek protection or unauthorised stay in other European Country. Over the last few years a big proportion of people with international protection has already left the Island. Refugees in Cyprus, are granted a temporary residence permit valid for only three years which can then be renewed. This permit does not enable them to have equal participation in employment market. With this permits they can not travel, reside or work easily in other EU member states. – See more at: https://kisa.org.cy/testimonies-real-life-stories-of-migrantsrefugeesasylum-seekers/#sthash.PLYTDsbp.dpuf
