Filenews 16 April 2024
The examination of more than 10,000 applications of Syrian nationals for 21 months is on ice, while the government's drastic measure not to examine asylum applications from Syrian nationals, is in the vice of developments in the next 15-20 days.
As mentioned in "F", if the arrivals of irregular migrants on our island continue in the next 15 days, then the measures will be reviewed, since they will be judged not to have worked.
The director of the office of the Minister of Interior, Loizos Hadjivassiliou, told "F" that the measure of suspending the examination of asylum applications will be accompanied by two other equally important actions: First, the increase by the Police of those Syrians who come irregularly and do not wish to stay in any structure of the Republic and second, the control of illegal work.
As Mr. Hadjivassiliou pointed out, thoughts are being made that when an employer is found to be illegally employing Syrians, then the provision of the legislation for the revocation of his license to employ foreign labour should be activated. This will discourage illegal employment and at the same time, if a Syrian knows that he will come to Cyprus and will not be employed, then he will think again. Also, if an employer who legally employs five foreigners decides to employ one Syrian illegally, then he will lose the permit for all of them.
He referred to the case of a Syrian duo who was found to be going back and forth to Syria. Today he slept as we were told, and tomorrow he will wake up and be deportable, following the decision taken to revoke the temporary protection status of those who return to Syria and then come to Cyprus. In this way, the director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office pointed out, they will never again acquire temporary protection status, nor will they have a GHS, or anything.
Currently, more than 10,000 applications from Syrians are pending for examination and following the government's decision, their examination will be frozen. The relevant EU office has already been informed of this decision. Practically, Hadjivassiliou explained, when a Syrian comes and applies for asylum, he will not be examined. This will mean that after nine months he will have access to work and not immediately as was the case now, since as soon as he applied for asylum, he automatically acquired temporary protection status. Those who have already received temporary protection status and are working, they will not be affected.
Now with the new decisions, those who come will be transferred to Kofinou and Pournara. They will be provided with free food and accommodation in accordance with all international obligations. They will not be provided with an allowance while their application is pending. Through a card that will be given to them, they will be able to leave their places of residence and if they choose to stay outside the accommodation centers, they will have to declare an address that will be checked.
Mr. Hadjivassiliou pointed out that regular checks will be carried out by the Aliens and Immigration Service to verify that they are staying in the places they have declared. "For nine months they will not have the right to work and this decision will be accompanied by the continuation of intensive checks carried out by the competent Ministry for illegal and undeclared work," he said.
He stressed that this measure is expected to help Syrians change their decision regarding their descent to Cyprus. "The Syrian regime automatically gives them the right to subsidiary protection. We are trying so that some areas in Syria are designated as safe so that they can return to these areas," he concluded.
In statements yesterday, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said that all decisions were taken lawfully and in consultation with the European Commission to address the increased migration flows of Syrian nationals.
Ioannou added that based on the decision to suspend the examination of asylum applications of persons of Syrian origin, these persons will not receive rent and food allowances and their place of residence will be the accommodation site in Pournara. The Interior Minister stressed that if the situation with arrivals from Lebanon continues, the Government has a management plan, with additional measures.
At the same time, a package of financial support from the European Union to Lebanon is being prepared, which will be granted under conditions, such as the implementation of specific solutions, to limit migratory flows.
It was also decided, as the Minister notes, to immediately revoke the subsidiary protection status or reject applications from persons who have demonstrably travelled back to areas of Syria in the last 12 months through occupied areas. These persons will cease to have access to any rights deriving from the temporary protection regime and steps will be taken to repatriate them either by voluntary return or through compulsory expulsion when and if possible.
3,703 came, 3,337 left
According to data from the Ministry of Interior, a total of 3,703 irregular migrants arrived in Cyprus this year, compared to 3,522 who arrived in 2023.
According to the data, arrivals in the two years are at the same level or slightly more in 2024. In relation to returns, almost 1,000 more were carried out in 2024, as a result of the measures taken by the Government and the emphasis placed on strengthening the return sector.
In 2023, a total of 2,348 returns were made, while in 2024 they amounted to 3,337.
It is recalled that, among other things, cooperation with Frontex was strengthened, as well as the voluntary return program with a financial incentive, ranging from €1,000 to €1,500, depending on the country of origin. Construction works are also underway for the creation of a pre-removal center in Mennogeia, with a capacity to accommodate approximately 800 people, in order to allow larger-scale operations to arrest migrants whose application has been finally rejected and remain in the Republic or work illegally.
