Maria Eagle – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Ministry of Defence

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Maria Eagle on 2015-10-22.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to prepare a deal with further refugees arriving by sea at RAF Akrotiri.

Penny Mordaunt

There is no evidence the migrants were intending to arrive in the Sovereign Base Areas (SBA). The arrival was due to one of two boats having engine failure off the peninsula upon which RAF Akrotiri is located. The Sovereign Base Areas Administration (SBAA) has a protocol with the Republic of Cyprus to consider claims by asylum seekers arriving directly in the SBAs. If they do not claim asylum or their claim to asylum is rejected the SBAA will take steps to remove the migrants to their country of origin.

The SBA Police Maritime unit is conducting increased patrolling of the waters within its jurisdiction, using enhanced navigational aids, including a 24-hour radar capability. The Cyprus Operational Battalion are providing additional manpower for base security. The Republic of Cyprus has indicated it has increased their maritime patrols in their adjacent territorial waters. Security is also supported by RAF Search and Rescue helicopters from 84 Squadron based at RAF Akrotiri.

If a boat is in distress in SBA territorial waters the SBAA has a duty under international law to provide aid and assistance to protect lives.