Decades ago, Cyprus, like many other countries, was plagued by a disease called echinococcosis. Dogs were identified as the hosts. In those days, there were many strays (not that there aren’t today).
Back then, they would find other dead animals or waste discarded by people, as there were no organised slaughterhouses yet and anyone could breed and slaughter animals at home, carelessly throwing away whatever wasn’t fit for human consumption.
Some of these remains were infected, and by eating them, dogs transmitted the disease. The problem had reached significant proportions, and the authorities took action to solve it.
Somewhere between 1970-1980, Cyprus proudly claimed to be the first country to eliminate echinococcosis. Not because it discovered an antidote or achieved ideal hygiene conditions, but by exterminating all stray dogs.
The migrant crisis was solved in a similar manner, and Cyprus has become a model. At least until the day before yesterday, when an unfortunate accident somewhat tarnished this image.
One day, the president complained that journalists didn’t ask him anything about migration; the next day, he would have blessed his luck for being absent so no one could question him about the incident off the coast of Cyprus.
One day, the Deputy Minister for Migration spoke of zero sea arrivals; the next day, 20 deaths overturned this narrative and haunted reality.
One day, the Deputy Minister discussed maritime patrols by the Port and Naval Police in cooperation with the Naval Command of the National Guard; the next, the Defence Minister admitted that while there was indeed information about a boat in distress, none of the patrols, drones, or helicopters spotted it until it sank, at which point they found two survivors swimming.
One day, the Deputy Minister denied that pushbacks were taking place (after 2020 when the ECHR condemned Cyprus); the next, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Cyprus reported pushbacks of three vessels with migrants carried out by Cypriot authorities on March 14.
We all agree that Cyprus cannot be a free-for-all. However, Cyprus cannot be a murderous state either. And try to convince anyone that with so many patrols, the boat wasn’t spotted when information about its existence was received.
Try to convince anyone that those on board weren’t left to their fate and that no pushback occurred. It was just an unavoidable accident.
