h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Yesterday, I made mention of the strict immigration laws that have been enacted in Cyprus. While the laws themselves are robust, the country experiences a very serious immigration problem that appears to worsen year-on-year. There are three main reasons for this; Cyprus' geographical location, its membership of the EU and its divided-island status.

Positioned to the far east of the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus borders Asia to the north, the Middle-East to the east and Africa to the south. EU membership makes the destination attractive for asylum seekers because Cyprus is the first European destination for people from the surrounding continents. Following an invasion in 1974, the north of the island remains controlled by Turkish authorities whose immigration controls are less rigorous and reportedly open to bribery. After gaining entry to the north, it's relatively easy to cross the 180km ceasefire line (known as the green line) at any point in order to access the south. One particularly popular point of entry is that of the Sovereign Base Area of Dhekelia. This SBA (one of two on the island) is under United Kingdom control and, therefore, jurisdiction. Some argue that this affords asylum seekers a favourable advantage, because the UK authorities offer additional rights when processing asylum applications, but this is a matter of conjecture.

While some asylum seekers arrive as individuals, large numbers arrive courtesy of organised gangs who take advantage of their plight. Desperate to flee from oppression in their mother-countries, some part with their life savings having been convinced by the gangs that a better existence awaits them. Upon arrival to the north, they are left abandoned to seek their own way. Many are arrested as they cross the green line, processed and deported. Those that evade arrest suddenly find themselves desperate to survive and ultimately exploited by unscrupulous employers who make them work slave-like hours for little remuneration. Inevitably, they'll be picked up, processed and automatically deported; the basis being that they never made an asylum application and were, therefore, not seeking such.

In the examples I've illustrated above, the majority of asylum seekers are men who, it could be argued, take responsibility for their actions but deserve compassion for the situation they find themselves in. The young women who are coerced and trafficked to supply the sex industry in Cyprus deserve far more sympathy especially from an EU government who appear to legally sanction the abuse.

Until October 2008, Cyprus issued 'artiste visas' to third-country nationals allowing them to stay and work legally in Cyprus as 'dancers' and 'performers'. Many responded to advertisements in their home countries that offered well-paid work as waitresses and barmaids with all relocation costs covered. As soon as they arrived and were intercepted by their benefactors, they found themselves relieved of their passports and identity and forced to work in cabaret-bars and strip-joints. Unbeknown to them, their stay was sanctioned by the artiste visa and the gangs that had lured them into the country now wished to seek repayment for their troubles. One doesn’t need much imagination to realise that the required work didn't stop once the dancing had finished.

Pressure in 2008 meant that Cyprus rescinded the 'artiste' entitlements and replaced them with 'performing-artist visas'. In a nod to the EU and giving the impression to the wider world that the government were cracking-down on such abuse, this change of terminology satisfied those that demanded action.

The situation, however, never changed. In a country where the sex-industry is prevalent, demand will always need to be satisfied. More on that tomorrow.

Hmm, is tomorrows episode gonna have a triple x rating then?

Ho, Yus!