Filenews 15 October 2022 - by Michalis Hadjivassilis
Asylum applications soared this year in Cyprus compared to last year with the increase reaching 93%, which is attributed to the instrumentalization of Cyprus by Turkey.
Smugglers push migrants through the green line into the free areas, with the result that asylum seekers have now reached 6% of the country's population, which gives us the first place in the EU countries. According to calculations by the Ministry of Interior, there are currently more than 50,000 asylum seekers in Cyprus who either reside in shelters or are free and are rented housing by the state.
This year, another element has also been observed that leads the authorities to have changed their orientations and turned their attention to other countries: The geographical physiognomy of migrants has changed, since while in previous years the first countries from which asylum seekers came were Syria (due to the war) and Asia, now migrants arrive by the thousands from countries of sub-Saharan Africa. It is a change that concerns the competent authorities who are trying either to conclude direct return agreements with these countries, or through other European countries to be returned to their countries on chartered flights of Frontex, the EU's European border guard agency.
At the same time, it has been officially observed that:
• In the last two years, the hybrid threat of Turkey has been systematically intensified in the areas controlled by the Republic.
• Until 2020, illegal arrivals via the green line were mainly for Syrians and Asians.
• As of 2021, the first in arrivals are the nationalities from sub-Saharan Africa, who arrive on the island by air via Istanbul in occupied Cyprus and pass with the help of smugglers in the free areas from the Green Line.
• All arrivals use two Turkish-owned airlines (Turkish airlines and Pegasus), while 80% of those arriving in the occupied territories have a virtual "student visa" at the so-called universities of the pseudo-state.
• 85% of the arrivals are single men aged 18 to 38, while there is a sharp increase in the arrivals of unaccompanied children.
• Their air ticket is usually paid by the smuggler and upon arrival they are granted a 60-day VISA.
According to the data obtained by "F" from the Ministry of Interior, as of September this year, 16,705 applications for political asylum were submitted, compared to 8,650 in the same period last year.
According to a recent interview with Euronews, Interior Minister Nikos Nouris said that, "unfortunately Cyprus, as a member state, records an undesirable first for us. We have now reached 6% of the population of the Republic of Cyprus consisting of asylum seekers. It is an extremely large number and unprecedented for Europe, if one imagines and comparing the proportion and the percentage that prevails in Greece or Italy, which is below that percentage. Here we have reached 6%. It is more than 50,000 and of course the conditions of infrastructure and reception are now suffocating. The possibilities are extremely limited. We may be grateful to the European Union, which over the last four years has financed a sum in the order of €117 million to the Republic of Cyprus for reception issues, but at the same time the Cypriot taxpayer has contributed additionally with an amount, from the national budget, another €188 million precisely, so that we can respond. So the situation is extremely difficult", noted Mr. Nouris.
300 are late, big returns
The Government is promoting three measures to stop migrants from the Green Line. The installation of barbed wire, electronic mesh and the recruitment of 300 special police officers to prevent the entry of migrants. The last two measures are delayed, especially the recruitment of police officers due to funds.
At the same time, a great effort is being made to return those whose applications are rejected. This year, it was possible to return 5,415 applicants compared to 2,320 last year, 1272 in 2020, 417 in 2019 and 695 in 2018.
€300 via blind spots
According to the findings of the competent authorities, 94% of illegal crossings to the areas controlled by the Republic flow from the green line.
While in previous years mainly, apart from the Syrians, the arrivals were from Asia, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, in the last 18 months or so this figure has completely changed. Almost all of them come from sub-Saharan Africa. These people from sub-Saharan Africa travel by Turkish-owned airlines to Istanbul, from Istanbul they arrive at the occupied airport of Tymbou in occupied Nicosia, and from there, paying a symbolic sum of €200-300 to the smugglers, they pass through the so-called "blind spots" of the green line.
