Filenews 20 November 2025 - by Michalis Chatzivasilis
In principle, the proposal for a law that provides for the deportation instead of imprisonment of foreigners who commit serious criminal offenses as an alternative penalty is viewed positively.
The proposal was submitted by the chairman of the Parliament's Legal Committee, Nikos Tornaritis, and was discussed yesterday, with those present agreeing with some reservations. According to Mr. Tornaritis, the proposal sends a message that we must respect the place that hosts us. " Too much has been heard lately and that some have become emboldened. The State should send the message that if you break the law you will never see this place again," he said.
According to Mr. Tornaritis, the proposed regulations are considered imperative due to the increasing incidents of violence that occur by a portion of foreigners and cause concern in society. The proposal will not call into question that Democracy is and remains a hospitable country with a view to ensuring social peace, respect for the rule of law and equality before the law.
According to the spokesman of the Ministry of Justice, Nikos Chrysostomou, the ministry fully understands the rationale of the bill, which is the removal of foreigners and the decongestion of prisons. "There are reservations about some provisions, especially the different criminal treatment of Cypriots compared to foreigners, or whether the imposition of the penalty of deportation weakens the deterrent character that such treatment should have," he said.
The director of the Migration Department of the Deputy Ministry of Migration, Maria Adamidou, said that the proposal is viewed positively and stressed that it should be ensured that it does not contradict the European Directive. He also noted that if someone has temporary protection status, they cannot be deported. The spokeswoman for the Legal Service said that there are issues that need to be addressed and asked for time "for an in-depth study so that conflicts do not arise with existing legislation, especially the Pact on Migration". For his part, the Ass. Director of Prisons, Konstantinos Konstantinidis, stated that more than 50% of prisoners today are foreigners and added that the problem of overcrowding should be addressed.
A representative of UNHCR referred to the right not to refoulement or deportation of people whose lives are in danger or to be subjected to torture, in accordance with the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights.
The 14 offenses for which a foreigner can be deported as a penalty are:
-Rape and attempted rape, all sexual offenses against a woman, man or child, premeditated murder, homicide, attempted murder, assault, robbery, arson and attempted arson, drug trafficking and any other offense in violation of the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law, any offense in violation of its provisions on the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking and Exploitation of Persons and the Protection of Victims Law and any offense in violation of the provisions of the Law on the Prevention and Combating of Sexual Abuse, Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography Law.
It is noted that the draft law provides safeguards that prohibit the return of people to countries where they are at risk of suffering serious violations of their human rights, or in relation to minor foreigners who commit serious crimes.
