'We're in limbo': the families marooned at a British military base for 16 years
.....Yet the Richmond villagers are an exceptional case that is unlikely to be repeated. Before Cyprus joined the EU in 2004, it signed a memorandum of understanding with Britain to take responsibility for any asylum seekers who might enter the SBAs through Cypriot territory.......
Extract from MOU
On 20 February 2003 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed on behalf of the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus concerning the implementation of the Protocol on the SBAs in so far as it concerns Illegal migrants and asylum seekers. We rehearse the relevant extracts:
“Noting that the United Kingdom through the Sovereign Base Areas Administration has the responsibility for illegal migrants and asylum seekers that enter the island of Cyprus by the Sovereign Base Areas.
Emphasising the importance of the international obligations of the Governments of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Cyprus with regard to asylum seekers, including the prohibition on indirect refoulement.
Bearing in mind humanitarian considerations, such as those reflected in the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and the need for the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom to work together with a view to devising practical ways and means of respecting the rights and satisfying the needs of asylum seekers and illegal migrants in the Sovereign Base Areas.
In light of the fact that the Government of the United Kingdom has committed itself not to develop the Sovereign Base Areas for other than military purposes and, in particular, not to allow new settlement of people in the Sovereign Base Areas other than for temporary purposes.
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The Government(s)...have reached the following understanding:
1. For the purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding an asylum seeker is any person seeking international protection relating to the Status of Refugees, or the European Convention on Human Rights, or the United Nations Convention against Torture 1984.
7. The administrative bodies competent for the examination of asylum applications under the Refugee Law of the Republic of Cyprus will be authorised to examine, under the relevant Sovereign Base legislation and on behalf of the Sovereign Base Areas Administration applications of asylum seekers arriving directly in the Sovereign Base Areas. To this effect the Administrator of the Sovereign Base Areas will ensure that the necessary legislation is enacted and in so doing, will reflect, to the extent possible, the laws applicable to asylum seekers in the Republic of Cyprus.
9. Subject to paragraph 13, the Government of the Republic of Cyprus will grant the following benefits to asylum seekers arriving directly in the Sovereign Base Areas:
(a) Free medical care, in case they lack the necessary means
(b) Welfare benefits equivalent to those given to the citizens of the Republic of Cyprus
(c) The right to apply for a work permit in accordance with the relevant laws of the Republic of Cyprus
(d) Access to education
12. The United Kingdom, through the SBAA, will endeavour to resettle persons recognised as refugees or granted any other form of international protection in countries willing to accept those persons, and not later than one year after the decision granting the relevant status has been taken.
13. The United Kingdom will indemnify the Republic of Cyprus for the net costs incurred ...”