KISA condemns in the most emphatic manner the use of police violence against individuals who are currently detained at the Detention Center for Undocumented Migrants in Menoyia. At the same time, we once again denounce the unjustified and illegal practice of the Civil Registry and Migration Department (CRMD) which continues to insist on its irrational policy of detaining migrants. Furthermore, we denounce CYBC station for its misleading portrayal of the events which have taken place, since through its one-sided mode of representation, it has essentially functioned as an apologist for police brutality.
More specifically, as of Monday morning (04/042016), three detained migrants have positioned themselves on the roof of the Menoyia Detention Center as a mode of protest for their unlawful and lengthy detention while threatening to commit suicide if they are not released. At the same time, many of the other detainees refuse to enter their cells in solidarity to the justifiable demands of their protesting fellow detainees. Yesterday afternoon, a large number of police force visited the Center, including members of the Police Rapid Response Unit (MMAD). According to what KISA has been informed, the police officers proceeded with the physical abuse and violent arrest of detainees who were expressing their solidarity to the aforementioned protesters[i]. It is noted that during these episodes, the video surveillance system had been turned off by the Center’s Administration, evidently in order to eliminate any evidence on the manner with which the police dealt with the situation.
The case of one of the three protesters exemplifies CRMD’s irrational and irregular policy concerning the detention of migrants in Menoyia, a policy which in essence constitutes the foundation for the problems which are generated at the Center. Mr. S.N. was released from Menoyia approximately two weeks ago (he was arrested in mid-December 2015), since his application for asylum to the Refugee Reviewing Authority was pending and he was therefore considered to be an asylum seeker. However, one week after his release (24/03/2016), Mr. S.N. was arrested again when he voluntarily visited the Aliens and Immigration Unit (AIU) in order to inform them about his change of address. AIU proceeded with his arrest and detention on the grounds that his action was dismissed on 21/03/2016 and they subsequently issued orders for his detention and deportation.
First of all, the arrest of Mr. S.N. is unacceptable and unlawful since, in accordance with the law, he is considered an asylum seeker until the hearing of his appeal at court against the administrative decision rejecting his application. Furthermore, the possible deportation of this individual violates international, European as well as national law since it will involve the refoulement of an asylum seeker. At the same time, the decision to issue legal orders for his detention and deportation will cost the state a few thousand Euros since, apart from the administrative costs for his detention, the state will have to bear the costs of his transportation to and from the court for submission of appeals, and probably the expenses for the entire judicial proceedings.
Finally, we denounce the CYBC station for its one-sided portrayal of the events which unfolded in Menoyia, as per the news report which was broadcast during the station’s main news bulletin (04/04/15). By repeatedly violating the rules of journalistic code of ethics, CYBC chose to broadcast only the police’s version of events to the viewers, essentially portraying the victims of police violence as individuals who “rioted and struck police officers of the district police station who had rushed to the Center in order to impose order”. It needs to be noted that CYBC did not consider it necessary to refer to the report of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe[ii] which was published last Thursday (31/03/2016), and where it is stated among other things, that Cyprus must end its imprudent policy of detaining migrants.
In view of the above, KISA demands:
- The immediate release of the protesting detainees as well as of all individuals who are unlawfully detained at the Detention Center for Undocumented Migrants in Menoyia.
- For the umpteenth time, a meeting with the Minister of Interior in order to discuss the issue of CRMD’s policy of issuing legal orders for the detention and deportation of individuals. It is noted that for the past six months, KISA has been calling for a meeting of NGOs with the Minister in order to discuss the subject under reference but without receiving any response.
- From the Attorney General of the Republic to appoint an independent criminal investigator to investigate the conditions under which detainees were abused and to bring those responsible to justice.
[i] The video where police officers are exercising violence against migrants can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeST-k6BtuA
[ii] Read the report here: http://goo.gl/fbvPzd
