Filenews 26 April 2023 - by Despina Psillou
At €33 million is the amount given last year from the state budget in the form of allowances to asylum seekers, while this year €8 million has already been offered. In order to manage migration, financial incentives are offered for voluntary repatriations and to date 828 persons have returned home. At the same time, through the rapid examination of asylum applications implemented for 3,648 foreigners who came from countries deemed safe, 3,461 were rejected, i.e. more than 90%. In total, 85 smuggling cases were examined by the judiciary last year and five this year, with sentences increased to 15 years. These data were presented yesterday to the ad hoc committee for the Study of the Demographic Problem of the Parliament, where a number of complaints were expressed about the management of migration flows.
In particular, a representative of the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare noted that there is an increase in migratory flows and that their services are called upon to manage a large number of applicants for international protection. "The Social Welfare Services provide material reception conditions only to asylum seekers."
Each person receives €186 plus €75 for electricity – water costs plus €100 for rent allowance, a total of €361. It was clarified that the €100 rent allowance varies depending on the area where they live and the number of family members. "In Nicosia for two people it is €200, for three to four €290, for five and over €364. Limassol is a bit higher."
Today, it was reported, these aids are given to about 9,000 families. "In a joint effort with the Department of Social Insurance and the Department of Labour, we had identified a significant number of these people who were working and terminated their benefits, resulting in a reduction in their total during 2022. However, due to the increasing number of arrivals we are now at 9,000, while from August until the end of 2022 we were around 6,500 - 7,000 beneficiaries."
The annual cost of these benefits during 2022 amounted to €33 million, while for this year, until March, approximately €8 million has been given. These amounts are from the state budget and benefits are given to beneficiaries within one month of their application.
For his part, a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior noted that the state's policy is based on four axes: Limiting flows, managing these flows, examining applications and repatriations.
In relation to the restriction of flows, it was reported that 218 border guards have been recruited, whose training will end on May 19. It was also noted that a new proclamation will be issued for another 82 border guards.
In relation to the management of these flows, it was noted that it concerns infrastructure issues. "Pournara is being radically upgraded, where €25 million will be provided from European funds." Also, the Kofinou Accommodation Centre will be upgraded, which from 450 places will be able to support 700 people. In addition, the Pre-removal Centre "Limnes" and Accommodation Centre will be built with a budget of €80 million. The project will start this year in June – July, aiming to be completed after 18 months.
For the examination of applications, 44 officers (27 new persons in the Asylum Service plus 17 persons from EASO) have been recruited to expedite the examination of applications. In case a person comes to Cyprus from a country classified as safe, the application is submitted to the accelerated examination procedure, i.e. within 15 days. Typically, these requests are rejected. "Of the 3,648 applications made in 2023, only 51 received supplementary protection and 136 refugee status. More than 90% are rejected."
For repatriations, it was noted that as of April 14, 2,324 returns have been made. "The ministry's goal is to increase voluntary returns for which a financial incentive is offered around €1,500 per person, by the EU." To date, during 2023, there have been 828 voluntary repatriations and 456 forced returns.
It was underlined, however, that our country cannot refuse to accept a person who has applied for asylum, but what they have achieved is to reduce the processing time of applications and increase the penalties for traffickers. It was also mentioned that around May – June the creation of a Deputy Ministry of Migration and Asylum will be promoted in Parliament.
The Justice Department said sentences for traffickers were increased in 2020 to 15 years in prison. In 2022, a total of 85 cases of smugglers were investigated and 135 arrests were made. In addition, 228 cases of illegal employment were examined, 226 employers were charged in writing and 357 arrests were made. Accordingly, as of the end of February 2023, five trafficking cases have been investigated and six arrests have been made.
On his part, the Minister of Labour, Yiannis Panayiotou, referred to the National Agency for Demographic and Family Policy, which is scheduled to meet next June and then once every six months. Among other things, the aim of the Convention is to set up a secretariat which will meet more regularly and monitor the progress of various decisions.
In addition, Education Minister Athena Michaelidou said that the goal is to offer many more hours of Greek instruction from next year before students with migrant backgrounds enter the classroom. "We are improving allocations in schools, as overcrowding has been detected in units. We are working on redistributing regions." From next year they emphasize the reception phase. "The emphasis on learning Greek and assessing these students is changing," he said.
I strongly blame the absent Ministers
Tension was caused by the absence of the ministers of interior and justice and the deputy minister of social welfare from the committee meeting, as it was noted that those responsible for the subject matter have been repeatedly invited, who insist on not appearing for parliamentary scrutiny.
DIKO MP Pavlos Mylonas called at the beginning of the debate for the political leaders to be denounced. "They are trying in their absence to hide the problem because they don't know what to do," he said, adding: "It is unacceptable behaviour towards Parliament." DISY MP Charalambos Pazaros agreed with these reactions
ELAM MP and President of the Committee, Linos Papayanis, noted that the Minister of Interior himself indicated the date of the meeting and the ministers to be invited. "It's been 2.5 years that we've been trying to recover. We didn't even succeed with the previous government, which had made it clear that it did not want this discussion to take place."
DIKO MP Zacharias Koulias wanted to know when the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare informed about her absence and what reason she invoked.
MP Alekos Tryfonidis spoke of mockery on the part of ministers. "Today was the blessed day that all relevant ministers involved in this matter would be involved. It has been more than 1.5 years since we have been asking for this meeting to take place. Some had more important jobs."
For his part, the Minister of Labour replied that the government is represented in the debate by two ministers and that guests who do not participate in their physical presence are obviously represented.
Despair expressed by some regions
The Mayor of Ayia Napa and the community presidents of Kokkinotrimithia and Chlorakas referred to demographic change, underlining that they have borne the burden of Cyprus' migration problem. The Mayor of Ayia Napa said that the approximately 5,000 Cypriot citizens of the area host more than 800 refugees and migrants, equivalent to 30% to 35% of the population. The President of the Community of Kokkinotrimithia made a similar statement, who said that there are around 5,000 to 6,000 locals, with immigrants as he said reaching 50%, 60% and even 70%. Community President Chlorakas said that the percentage of foreigners reaches up to 38%.
During the discussion, apart from the demographic change, they talked about a number of problems, including crime incidents. In each of the contributions they called for the problem to be managed as soon as possible.
