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| Refugee crisis: Syrians rescued at British base on Cyprus – live updates | Refugee crisis: Syrians rescued at British base on Cyprus – live updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 12.40pm BST12:40 | |
| Helena Smith | |
| The refugees on Akrotiri will not be released today, writes Helena Smith. | |
| With Cyprus’ Akrotiri base being used as a launching pad for airstrikes against Islamic state militants in Iraq, there are murmurings the refugees could pose a security risk to operations. This is likely to guide the way the refugees are handled over the coming days, well-placed sources on the island told the Guardian. | |
| Insiders, who did not want to be named, said accommodation in the base’s military zone could be found to house the refugees if need be. A spokeswoman on the base, Connie Pierce, said it was “very unlikely” that the media would be given access to the refugees today. | |
| British military police are likely to want to conduct an in-depth screening of the refugees first. | |
| 11.58am BST11:58 | 11.58am BST11:58 |
| Angelique Chrisafis | Angelique Chrisafis |
| More than 800 French celebrities including Jeanne Moreau Eric Cantona, and the economist Thomas Piketty have urged the French government to tackle insanitary conditions facing migrants at Calais, writes Angelique Chrisafis in Paris. | More than 800 French celebrities including Jeanne Moreau Eric Cantona, and the economist Thomas Piketty have urged the French government to tackle insanitary conditions facing migrants at Calais, writes Angelique Chrisafis in Paris. |
| The group, which also included the director of NGO Médicins du Mond, signed an open letter to the newspaper Libération, said the conditions at the makeshift “jungle” camp were dangerously inhumane. | The group, which also included the director of NGO Médicins du Mond, signed an open letter to the newspaper Libération, said the conditions at the makeshift “jungle” camp were dangerously inhumane. |
| As temperatures drop, refugees and migrants seeking to get to the UK, are living in precarious make-shift tents on muddy wasteland with a lack of shelter, scarce access to water and not enough food. Aid workers have warned of serious health concerns including outbreaks of the skin condition scabies. The situation, which aid groups have long described as a humanitarian crisis, has worsened in recent weeks as the number of people sleeping rought there has swelled from 3,000 to 6,000. | As temperatures drop, refugees and migrants seeking to get to the UK, are living in precarious make-shift tents on muddy wasteland with a lack of shelter, scarce access to water and not enough food. Aid workers have warned of serious health concerns including outbreaks of the skin condition scabies. The situation, which aid groups have long described as a humanitarian crisis, has worsened in recent weeks as the number of people sleeping rought there has swelled from 3,000 to 6,000. |
| After the unprecedented appeal by well-known French figures, the French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve will travel to Calais this afternoon for the seventh time in recent months to explain what measures the state is taking to protect the most vulnerable in Calais. He has reiterated that the French state will be “humane” but “firm” on the issue of those in Calais. He said the French figures who signed the appeal were “voicing a concern that I hear and I share.” Cazeneuve is expected to announce in Calais that he will increase the capacity for emergency accommodation for women and children. | After the unprecedented appeal by well-known French figures, the French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve will travel to Calais this afternoon for the seventh time in recent months to explain what measures the state is taking to protect the most vulnerable in Calais. He has reiterated that the French state will be “humane” but “firm” on the issue of those in Calais. He said the French figures who signed the appeal were “voicing a concern that I hear and I share.” Cazeneuve is expected to announce in Calais that he will increase the capacity for emergency accommodation for women and children. |
| Updated at 12.04pm BST | Updated at 12.04pm BST |
| 11.48am BST11:48 | 11.48am BST11:48 |
| There is still some confusion about how many refugee boats landed on Akrotiri. Initial reports said two arrived. The Ministry of Defence later confirmed three boats, but later reports said four boats were involved. | There is still some confusion about how many refugee boats landed on Akrotiri. Initial reports said two arrived. The Ministry of Defence later confirmed three boats, but later reports said four boats were involved. |
| The MoD has just issued a statement saying “number of boats with migrants on board have landed on the short of RAF Akrotiri.” | The MoD has just issued a statement saying “number of boats with migrants on board have landed on the short of RAF Akrotiri.” |
| It added: | It added: |
| At the moment our key priority is ensuring everybody on board is safe and well and when we can release further details we will. | At the moment our key priority is ensuring everybody on board is safe and well and when we can release further details we will. |
| “We have had an agreement in place with the Republic of Cyprus since 2003 to ensure that the Cypriot authorities take responsibility in circumstances like this. | “We have had an agreement in place with the Republic of Cyprus since 2003 to ensure that the Cypriot authorities take responsibility in circumstances like this. |
| “Events like this underline why it is important for us to develop a comprehensive approach to the migration crisis working with our international partners to provide humanitarian assistance in Syria and neighbouring countries; to disrupt the trafficking gangs and to address the root causes of instability that cause people to seek a new life elsewhere.” | “Events like this underline why it is important for us to develop a comprehensive approach to the migration crisis working with our international partners to provide humanitarian assistance in Syria and neighbouring countries; to disrupt the trafficking gangs and to address the root causes of instability that cause people to seek a new life elsewhere.” |
| Our statement on the migrants landing on the shore at RAF Akrotiri can be found on our blog https://t.co/MyuS6iT6yM pic.twitter.com/UJtEm0zjOw | Our statement on the migrants landing on the shore at RAF Akrotiri can be found on our blog https://t.co/MyuS6iT6yM pic.twitter.com/UJtEm0zjOw |
| Updated at 12.05pm BST | Updated at 12.05pm BST |
| 11.41am BST11:41 | 11.41am BST11:41 |
| The Croatian news site HRT has broadcast footage of refugees crossing the Sulta river to get from Croatia to Slovenia. It quoted one refugee as saying: “The river is very cold. We need help, clothing, food, we are completely wet.” | The Croatian news site HRT has broadcast footage of refugees crossing the Sulta river to get from Croatia to Slovenia. It quoted one refugee as saying: “The river is very cold. We need help, clothing, food, we are completely wet.” |
| The group spent the night sleeping rough after the crossing the river, it said. | The group spent the night sleeping rough after the crossing the river, it said. |
| 11.32am BST11:32 | 11.32am BST11:32 |
| Peter Sutherland, the UN’s special representative for Migration, said the influx of refugee to Slovenia once again highlights the need for countries across Europe to do more to help. | Peter Sutherland, the UN’s special representative for Migration, said the influx of refugee to Slovenia once again highlights the need for countries across Europe to do more to help. |
| Yesterday 8000 migrants entered Slovenia from Croatia. Winter is coming.The EU must share the provision of sanctuary. None should decline. | Yesterday 8000 migrants entered Slovenia from Croatia. Winter is coming.The EU must share the provision of sanctuary. None should decline. |
| The EU’s migration chief Dimitris Avramopoulous is due to hold talks in Slovenia on Thursday to discuss the crisis. | The EU’s migration chief Dimitris Avramopoulous is due to hold talks in Slovenia on Thursday to discuss the crisis. |
| A EU programme to relocate up to 160,000 asylum seekers is underway, but so far the numbers involved are small. | A EU programme to relocate up to 160,000 asylum seekers is underway, but so far the numbers involved are small. |
| Today, 19 asylum seekers from Italy will be relocated to Finland, and 49 will be relocated to Sweden. #RefugeeCrisis | Today, 19 asylum seekers from Italy will be relocated to Finland, and 49 will be relocated to Sweden. #RefugeeCrisis |
| 11.23am BST11:23 | 11.23am BST11:23 |
| Firefighters have extinguished that fire at the migrant camp in Brezice, on Slovenia’s border with Croatia, AP reports. | Firefighters have extinguished that fire at the migrant camp in Brezice, on Slovenia’s border with Croatia, AP reports. |
| The cause of the fire is not known, but and refugees migrants had been lighting fires outside their tents in the camp which is a temporary home to thousands of people. | The cause of the fire is not known, but and refugees migrants had been lighting fires outside their tents in the camp which is a temporary home to thousands of people. |
| Many of those at the Brezice camp arrived in the dark of night after wading or swimming across the Sutla River in temperatures close to freezing. | Many of those at the Brezice camp arrived in the dark of night after wading or swimming across the Sutla River in temperatures close to freezing. |
| In the last month more than over 20,000 migrants have entered Slovenia from Croatia, with many thousands more on their way. | In the last month more than over 20,000 migrants have entered Slovenia from Croatia, with many thousands more on their way. |
| 11.08am BST11:08 | 11.08am BST11:08 |
| The nationality of the refugees and migrants who washed up at Akrotiri base is still not confirmed. | The nationality of the refugees and migrants who washed up at Akrotiri base is still not confirmed. |
| Earlier police spokesman at the base George Kiteos told local media that they “appear” to have come from Syria. | Earlier police spokesman at the base George Kiteos told local media that they “appear” to have come from Syria. |
| But speaking to Helena Smith he said it still remained unclear whether all the refugees were Syrian. | But speaking to Helena Smith he said it still remained unclear whether all the refugees were Syrian. |
| 11.04am BST11:04 | 11.04am BST11:04 |
| Can the Syrians who arrived at Akrotiri claim asylum in Britain? As the case of the Iraqi Kurds illustrates this is still a matter of legal dispute. | Can the Syrians who arrived at Akrotiri claim asylum in Britain? As the case of the Iraqi Kurds illustrates this is still a matter of legal dispute. |
| But since then Britain and Cyprus have agreed that refugees who land on sovereign UK territory are handed over to Cyprus. | But since then Britain and Cyprus have agreed that refugees who land on sovereign UK territory are handed over to Cyprus. |
| Asked whether refugees would be able to claim asylum in Britain, an MoD official said: “that’s not our understanding”. | Asked whether refugees would be able to claim asylum in Britain, an MoD official said: “that’s not our understanding”. |
| Britain fears setting a precedent that could encourage other asylum seekers to regard the Sovereign Base Areas as a fast track to the UK from the Middle East and north Africa. | Britain fears setting a precedent that could encourage other asylum seekers to regard the Sovereign Base Areas as a fast track to the UK from the Middle East and north Africa. |
| 10.56am BST10:56 | 10.56am BST10:56 |
| Helena Smith | Helena Smith |
| A spokesman for the British bases on Cyprus confirmed that 110 refugees are being held at the Akrotiri base, writes Helena Smith. | A spokesman for the British bases on Cyprus confirmed that 110 refugees are being held at the Akrotiri base, writes Helena Smith. |
| “They arrived on the coast in the bit of the base that is closed off. They were brought to shore and are currently in the process of being identified and screened,” George Kiteos, a police spokesman of the British bases told the Guardian. “What happens to them next is up to the politicians to decide.” | “They arrived on the coast in the bit of the base that is closed off. They were brought to shore and are currently in the process of being identified and screened,” George Kiteos, a police spokesman of the British bases told the Guardian. “What happens to them next is up to the politicians to decide.” |
| Connie Pierce a British spokeswoman there, said the refugees were being held in the base’s military zone and that it was very unlikely there would be press access to them today. | |
| A Cypriot government official said cooperation on the matter would be dictated by the memorandum of understanding that exists between the Republic of Cyprus and the British-run bases. “We are ready to help if requested … for the moment all the individuals are under the control of the bases. We have no involvement whatsoever,” said Olivia Michalidou, spokeswoman for the island’s civil defence department. | A Cypriot government official said cooperation on the matter would be dictated by the memorandum of understanding that exists between the Republic of Cyprus and the British-run bases. “We are ready to help if requested … for the moment all the individuals are under the control of the bases. We have no involvement whatsoever,” said Olivia Michalidou, spokeswoman for the island’s civil defence department. |
| Updated at 12.40pm BST | |
| 10.49am BST10:49 | 10.49am BST10:49 |
| This is the first time in the current refugee crisis that refugees have landed on Akrotiri, but the base is still at the centre of a long-running legal battle involving Iraqi Kurds who arrived there in 1998. | This is the first time in the current refugee crisis that refugees have landed on Akrotiri, but the base is still at the centre of a long-running legal battle involving Iraqi Kurds who arrived there in 1998. |
| At the time the administration on the base tried to pass the burden on to the Cypriot authorities but was told the migrants were Britain’s responsibility, as Michael Theodoulou explains. | At the time the administration on the base tried to pass the burden on to the Cypriot authorities but was told the migrants were Britain’s responsibility, as Michael Theodoulou explains. |
| The migrants were moved from Akrotiri to Dhekelia several months later. They were housed in rudimentary, former married quarters for British service families that were due to be demolished, and provided with weekly welfare allowances. It was meant to be a temporary measure. | The migrants were moved from Akrotiri to Dhekelia several months later. They were housed in rudimentary, former married quarters for British service families that were due to be demolished, and provided with weekly welfare allowances. It was meant to be a temporary measure. |
| Sixteen years on, 21 of the boat people remain in Richmond Village. With children born there and family members who later joined them, they make up a group of 67. Just over half are children, all of whom are stateless. | Sixteen years on, 21 of the boat people remain in Richmond Village. With children born there and family members who later joined them, they make up a group of 67. Just over half are children, all of whom are stateless. |
| The Richmond villagers are embroiled in one of Britain’s longest and most bizarre refugee dramas. “Our situation is unbearable,” Layali says. “We feel so cut off from the rest of the world. We’re in limbo.” | The Richmond villagers are embroiled in one of Britain’s longest and most bizarre refugee dramas. “Our situation is unbearable,” Layali says. “We feel so cut off from the rest of the world. We’re in limbo.” |
| The “forgotten village” has no shops, no amenities and just a handful of dusty streets. It feels a world apart from Dhekelia’s nearby main military compound, where British forces and their families lead busy lives in a well-ordered setting that resembles a chunk of middle England transplanted into the Mediterranean. | The “forgotten village” has no shops, no amenities and just a handful of dusty streets. It feels a world apart from Dhekelia’s nearby main military compound, where British forces and their families lead busy lives in a well-ordered setting that resembles a chunk of middle England transplanted into the Mediterranean. |
| 10.30am BST10:30 | 10.30am BST10:30 |
| The Akrotiri base went into lockdown when the refugees arrived, according to ITV’s Emma Murphy who was on the base at the time to report on British airstrikes against Islamic State militants. | The Akrotiri base went into lockdown when the refugees arrived, according to ITV’s Emma Murphy who was on the base at the time to report on British airstrikes against Islamic State militants. |
| She reports: | She reports: |
| The strangest of ironies is that the lock-down was the result of at least 140 migrants, mainly from Syria, washing ashore in small boats on a beach at the base. | The strangest of ironies is that the lock-down was the result of at least 140 migrants, mainly from Syria, washing ashore in small boats on a beach at the base. |
| Many of those brought to safety were fleeing the tyranny of Isis - they reached safety as Tornados took to the skies on another anti-Isis mission. | Many of those brought to safety were fleeing the tyranny of Isis - they reached safety as Tornados took to the skies on another anti-Isis mission. |
| 10.20am BST10:20 | 10.20am BST10:20 |
| Summary | Summary |
| Welcome to live coverage of the refugee crisis in Europe after 140 Syrian arrive at a British military base on Cyprus and a fire broke out a migrant camp in Slovenia. | Welcome to live coverage of the refugee crisis in Europe after 140 Syrian arrive at a British military base on Cyprus and a fire broke out a migrant camp in Slovenia. |
| Here’s a roundup of what we know: | Here’s a roundup of what we know: |