Filenews 23 November 2024
The arrivals of irregular migrants to Cyprus fell to the lowest level in six years this year, which is attributed to the measures taken by the government since May, after the terrible flows by sea.
It is noteworthy for 2024 that since last May not a single irregular migrant has arrived by sea, indicative of the measures taken in both Cyprus and Lebanon. All immigrants who now come to our country pass through the occupied areas. Syria remains the first country of origin of migrants and Afghanistan second.
Returns – deportations of migrants are also increased compared to last year, which predicts the closure of 2024 as one of the mildest years. The migration issue is now manageable and currently the challenge facing the Deputy Ministry of Migration and Asylum is the management of unaccompanied minors as well as Syrians who cannot be deported to their country. However, Cyprus is increasingly raising with the European Union the issue of some areas being declassified from unsafe to safe.
Due to the increase in flows that occurred until last April, the Government, through the Minister of Interior, Konstantinos Ioannou, had decided not to examine any more asylum applications, only to receive them. Suddenly after this decision, more than 100 irregular migrants appeared in the buffer zone under the blessing of the Peacekeeping Force, whom the Republic did not accept in the areas it controls. It was a hot issue that is getting resolved with Deputy Migration Minister Nikolas Ioannides finding the solution by resettling them.
It was repeatedly stated that the government did not want the buffer zone to become a transit route for irregular migrants. Despite pressure from the United Nations to accept the migrants camped in two parts of the buffer zone in Nicosia, the government persisted in its decision fearing that the flows would now be directed through the Green Line. Finally, after consultations and pressure, Cyprus agreed with EU countries to relocate some of these migrants and the rest will be deported to their countries.
According to data provided to "F" by the Deputy Ministry of Migration, until October, this year 6,123 asylum applications were submitted compared to 9,176 in the same period in 2023. A total of 11,617 asylum applications were submitted last year throughout 2023. In 2022, the most applications were submitted ever, amounting to 21.565, while in 2021 another 13.235 were submitted.
The picture of 2024
According to data from the Deputy Ministry of Migration, this year started with arrivals by sea being divided, as 462 irregular migrants arrived across the Green Line and 316 by boat in January. In February, 711 people came via the Green Line and another 316 by sea. In March we had 827 arrivals via occupied territories and 350 by sea. In April, arrivals through occupied areas decreased to 261 and boat arrivals increased to 862. It was then that the government was alarmed and took measures, with the result that from May until today we have zero arrivals by sea. All irregular migrants who come are through the occupied areas.
In May 219 migrants came, in June 155, in July 171, in August 216, in September 292 and in October they reached 444, all via Green Line.
In terms of countries of origin, Syria remains first as last year, followed by Afghanistan. Last year it was Somalia. The third country of origin is Somalia, followed by Iran and then nationals from Sudan.
Regarding asylum applications, the picture that emerges this year is: January 976 applications were submitted, February 799, March 1142, April 1527, May 279, June 168, July 190, August 265, September 298 and October 479. Indicative of the decrease in applications this year is that in October last year 1084 asylum applications were submitted, which is 605 more than this year.
There has also been a decrease this year in the examination of asylum applications, since from 26,365 pending in January 2024, 21,517 remained in October this year.
Performance in deportations – returns
According to data from the Deputy Ministry of Migration and the Asylum Service, between 01/01/2024 – 04/10/2024, 7,705 deportations of foreigners took place. In addition, 5,215 irregular migrants were identified, most of whom applied for political asylum. In the corresponding period of 2023, 6,997 deportations of foreigners took place and 7,622 irregular migrants were detected. Asylum applications from 01/01/24 to 30/10/24 are 1023.
➢ Irregular migration by sea in 2024: In 50 operations, 2,852 irregular migrants were detected by police boats. 2,852 immigrants entered the territory of the Republic of Cyprus (1792 men, 280 women and 780 children – minors).
From 17/04/24 until today there have been no arrivals by sea.
