Migrants and refugees in Cyprus

On April 17 2024, according to Reuters, a Cypriot police boat patrolled international waters to monitor the arrival of boats from Lebanon. The aim of the manoeuvre was to prevent the arrival of ships carrying applicants for international protection of Syrian origin. EuroMed Rights together with other CSOs denounce this repression against these groups of individuals who are legally and legitimately able to seek asylum.
On April 16 2024, two boats had been adrift for almost 4 days with a total of 73 migrants on board. The latter, hungry, thirsty and some of them sick, were pushed back by both the Cypriot coast guard and the Lebanese authorities.
On 14 April 2024, Cyprus announced the suspension of asylum procedures for applicants of Syrian origin. These people will then be held in two “reception” centers.
On April 08 2024, as the country declared the “migration crisis“, the President of Cyprus Nikos Chritodoulidis went to Lebanon for an official visit. He calls for greater efforts in Beirut to manage and monitor displaced persons, particularly Syrians. At the same time, Nicosia is pleading with the EU for certain areas in Syria to be recognized as “safe”.

Cyprus