Filenews 24 August 2022 - by Michalis Hadjivassilis
Applications for political asylum have almost doubled this year compared to the same period last year, while new applications in 2022 have covered the whole of 2021. It is characteristic that every month more than 1500 applications are received, while despite the increased returns, arrivals cannot be covered. The problem is growing. Already 4.6% of the population are asylum seekers and the majority of them come from countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. As of July 2022, 13,818 persons have applied for political asylum compared to 13,325 in the whole of 2021. However, in the same period last year, 7006 applications were submitted, which shows that this year the flows of migrants coming to Cyprus have doubled (an increase of 97%).
Also, this year the first country of origin is Congo compared to last year when it was Syria. Specifically, this year 2,283 people coming from Congo applied for asylum, while last year they had reached 1,723, second this year is Nigeria with 2234 applications, third Syria with 2186, followed by: Pakistan with 1444 applications, Bangladesh with 982, Afghanistan with 843, Somalia with 694, Cameroon with 653, India with 413, Nepal with 292 and other countries, 1794.
Last year, the first country of origin was Syria with 23% of the total applications, followed by Congo with 1723 applications, Nigeria with 1555, Pakistan with 998, India with 986, Cameroon with 775, Bangladesh with 686, Somalia with 677, Nepal with 619, Sierra Leone with 460 and from other countries 1705 applications.
It is noted that the increased flows of migrants began from 2018 onwards, in 2020 decreased due to the pandemic and the fact that there were no flights. According to data from the Ministry of Interior, in 2015 2,253 applications for political asylum were submitted, in 2016 2,936, in 2017 4,582, in 2018 7,761, in 2019 13,648, in 2020 7,094 and in 2021 another 13,235. As the data show, 15% of the applicants entered the Republic legally and sought political asylum, while the remaining 85% entered irregularly from the occupied areas through the Green Line or the coasts in Cape Greco or Polis Chrysochous. As the Minister of Interior, Nikos Nouris, repeatedly points out, all those who came irregularly come from Turkey through the occupied territories. Unfortunately, he says, the situation is worsening day by day due to the instrumentalization of migration by Turkey.
It is noted that the Government has turned to the installation of physical barriers along the Green Line and the implementation of surveillance measures, such as an electronic monitoring system and patrol by a special surveillance unit are actions that are launched and reinforced.
A characteristic of the terrible situation that Cyprus is going through due to the migration issue, is that the Pournara First Reception Centre, in Kokkinotrimithia, is overcrowded, since it hosts around 1900 people, many are outside the Centre, while the Limnes Centre in Mennogia has also opened, where mainly people who want to return to their countries are accommodated. Due to the overcrowding in the Centre, no proper separation can be made, resulting in episodes breaking out every now and then. Also, unaccompanied minors stay for a long time in the Centre, as a result of which they leave it and are left exposed.
The authorities estimate that with the installation of the electronic monitoring system and the recruitment of the 300 contracted police officers who will supervise the Green Line, the problem of crossing through the occupied territories will be greatly reduced. Also, many times, Mr. Nouris referred to the enormous efforts made by the frontline countries, such as other EU countries that do not accept migratory flows, to show solidarity and host refugees, something that has recently begun to pay off.
