HRP: “Fear of Irregular Status Prevents Access to Basic Services”

The death of 2-year-old Emmanuel Nsıkak DAVID, who fell from the fifth floor of an apartment building in Famagusta, has deeply shaken us and once again exposed the insecurity and invisibility faced by individuals living in an irregular status in the northern part of the island, including those who, after entering the country, are unable to complete their immigration procedures for various reasons.

According to information reflected in the public domain and discussions with the authorities, it is understood that at the time of the incident, the child’s parents were in an irregular migration status, that the mother was taken into custody for this reason, and that it was confirmed the child was with his father.

This incident must not be treated as an isolated case. The conditions in which individuals living in an irregular status or with incomplete migration procedures find themselves significantly restrict access to essential services, creating serious risks, particularly for children. As a result, many individuals avoid seeking assistance from the police, healthcare providers, and social services even in situations of risk.

International human rights standards guarantee access to fundamental rights for everyone, regardless of their legal status. In this context, the compatibility of current practices with these standards must be questioned. In this regard, practices that lead to the automatic criminalisation of people living in an irregular migration status in the northern part of Cyprus should be urgently reviewed, and access to basic services must be ensured without fear of punishment. Humanitarian residence and regularisation mechanisms for those who have lived in the country for a long time or who are in vulnerable situations should be made effective and accessible.

Furthermore, deportation procedures must, under all circumstances, be carried out in a manner that respects human dignity, is proportionate, and is grounded in a rights-based approach. Family unity must be protected, and in particular, children’s caregiving relationships must not be disrupted.

This incident clearly demonstrates that the current approach is unsustainable. The consequences of a system that pushes people into invisibility cannot be ignored. Authorities must urgently adopt a humane and rights-based approach.

As the Human Rights Platform, we inform the public that we will closely follow this process and continue to take all necessary initiatives to protect the rights of individuals living in the northern part of Cyprus, regardless of their legal status. We also call on the public to speak out against these invisible violations and to show solidarity.