Cypriot authorities have begun deporting a number of Syrian refugees, whom they consider a "threat to public order and national security," in an escalating move that follows months of intensive security vetting of Syrian asylum seekers.
According to the Cypriot website Sigma Life, the Ministry of Migration and International Protection, in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and the Police, has already begun deporting Syrians described as a "security risk." The report asserts that the measures follow systematic coordination with relevant authorities and are based on extensive security assessments.
The report indicated that the Cypriot Deputy Minister of Migration is working in cooperation with the Minister of Justice and the President of the Republic at the European Union level. A recent bilateral meeting was held with the Austrian Minister of the Interior to exchange expertise on security deportation issues, amid what observers consider an increasing European trend toward stricter treatment of refugees.
Austria is the first European country to begin deporting Syrians on security grounds, while Cyprus has begun adopting a similar approach amid calls for unified European policies toward refugees.
Suspension of Asylum Applications and Rising Numbers
In April 2024, Cyprus announced the suspension of asylum applications for Syrians, a decision later adopted by other European countries. By the end of 2024, the number of pending applications exceeded 14,000, with expectations that the suspension will continue until early 2026.
Official statistics showed that Syrians accounted for 53% of all asylum applications submitted in 2023, compared to 23% the previous year.
At the same time, Cyprus launched one of the largest voluntary return programs in the European Union, with more than 3,000 Syrian refugees leaving the island in recent months.
From December 9, 2024, to January 31, 2025, 944 individuals withdrew their asylum applications, and 423 others renounced their protection status.
The Cypriot government encourages these returns through financial incentives of up to €2,000 per adult and €1,000 per child, in addition to a three-year residency and work permit for a family member.
On the other hand, international human rights organizations have expressed concern about these measures, accusing Cyprus of violating the principle of non-refoulement, particularly through deportations and naval deterrence. The Cypriot government, however, maintains that all measures are in line with international law and enjoy increasing European support.
Fares Al-Rifai - Zaman Al-Wasl
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