Cyprus is leading the way in Europe when it comes to the repatriation of Syrian nationals whose asylum applications have been definitively rejected. This was confirmed by the Deputy Minister for Migration and International Protection, Nicholas Ioannides, this week.
The repatriations are being carried out in collaboration between the Ministry of Migration, the police and other government agencies. Those being returned have exhausted all legal avenues after the Administrative Court rejected their applications and therefore no longer have lawful residence in the Republic.
Zero tolerance for crime
According to Ioannides, Cyprus is among the few EU countries that actively carry out forced returns of Syrians. The authorities will continue to reject what they consider to be unfounded asylum applications and withdraw subsidiary protection from those who do not qualify for asylum.
Since December 2024, more than 5,000 Syrian asylum applications have been rejected. Around 6,000 Syrians have left Cyprus voluntarily, whilst over 6,000 others are reported to have expressed a willingness to return. In the coming months, there are also plans to step up checks on illegal residence and undeclared work.
The Cypriot authorities have signalled a zero-tolerance policy and revoked the asylum status of individuals engaged in criminal behaviour. Procedures are being put in place to deport criminals immediately as part of the new, stricter policy.
Cypriots come first in Cyprus
Ioannides concludes the statement by emphasising that, for the country’s administration, Cyprus and its citizens come ‘above all else’.
Austria has carried out a number of forced returns of Syrian criminals following the fall of the Assad regime. The country also has robust programmes for voluntary return with financial incentives, and is actively working on returns in general.
Denmark, too, is actively working to facilitate forced returns. The country has reopened its embassy in Damascus, is in dialogue with the Syrian authorities and has rejected a number of asylum applications. Germany has carried out a few forced returns of Syrian criminals.
