migrant minors — Residents of the Lykavittos area in Nicosia are voicing strong opposition to a state proposal for a housing centre aimed at unaccompanied migrant minors, which is set to be located alarmingly close to a local primary school.
Organised parents from the school have joined forces with local residents to gather signatures against the initiative, expressing their concerns for the safety of children who would be attending classes nearby. The proposed facility’s location has sparked fears among the community, leading to a pledge to escalate their protest if the authorities push ahead without addressing their objections.
According to residents, the decision to establish the centre was made without prior consultation or notification, leaving many feeling sidelined. They have raised alarm over the facility being described as an “open type” structure, suggesting a lack of security measures that could jeopardise the safety of nearby residents and schoolchildren.
Stelios Hadjigeorgiou, a representative for the residents and parents, articulated the community’s unease. He indicated that their primary concern revolves around the safety of young children attending the school. Hadjigeorgiou questioned why the government did not consider utilizing an existing facility for the temporary accommodation of these minors, especially since there are reports of the minors being repatriated after a short stay.
In his remarks to philenews, Hadjigeorgiou noted that the school currently accommodates pupils with migration backgrounds, which has been managed without significant issues. However, the apprehension surrounding the new centre stems from troubling incidents reported at other facilities, although he refrained from detailing specific occurrences.
The matter was brought up at a recent Nicosia Municipal Council meeting, where a majority of councillors expressed their disapproval of the proposed site. Attendees, including several Lykavittos residents, felt reassured by the council’s stance but are still awaiting responses from other government entities regarding potential changes to the plans.
Earlier discussions at the School Board highlighted a similar consensus among parents, with many expressing opposition to the centre’s location. The growing unrest in the community suggests that residents are prepared to continue their mobilisation efforts, with the possibility of organising a protest outside the Presidential Palace if their voices remain unheard.
