How Cyprus has been quietly deporting Syrian refugees
The choice to return is far from voluntary...
Over the past year, The New Arab (TNA) has looked into Cyprus’ Voluntary Return Program', a flagship initiative designed to facilitate the return of migrants to their home countries “in an organised, safe, and dignified manner.”
TNA’s findings expose a starkly different reality. The Cypriot Ministry of Interior is pressuring individuals into so-called voluntary returns through coercion and deceit, undermining the country’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights.
In the case of Syrian asylum seekers, this includes the denial of access to asylum, unlawful detention in inhumane conditions, and unfounded accusations of serious crimes. Despite these violations, the European Commission (EC) and Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, continue to financially and operationally support the program. The EC has even promoted the Cypriot model as an example for other countries, raising concerns for the more than one million Syrians currently living in Europe.
Read the full report here.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Andrea Glioti, Investigative Editor
Email: andrea.glioti@newarab.com
Press release distributed by Pressat on behalf of The New Arab, on Monday 17 February, 2025. For more information subscribe and follow https://pressat.co.uk/
Syria Assad Regime The New Arab Investigation Authorities Refugee Asylum Seekers Cyprus Human Rights TNA Voluntary Return Deportation Government
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How Cyprus has been quietly deporting Syrian refugees
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