Debate Intensifies Over Refugee Deportation to Syria
In a recent turn of events, Cyprus has taken a firm stance on the influx of Syrian refugees. President Nikos Christodoulides, in an interview with the Editor Network Germany (RND), stated unequivocally that the island nation is “at our limit” and can no longer accommodate the continuous flow of refugees. With refugees now constituting seven percent of the population, the president has expressed a desire to initiate deportations back to Syria.
The Cypriot government has been actively lobbying for the European Union to recognize certain areas in Syria as safe regions. This shift from a suggestion to a demand has been marked by a suspension in processing asylum claims for Syrian applicants, as announced by Christodoulides on social media. The government plans to utilize the full extent of EU law, waiting up to 21 months before examining asylum applications.
Furthering its efforts, Cyprus has revoked the protection status of 30 Syrian nationals who visited their homeland and has deployed police boats to patrol waters near Lebanon, aiming to prevent new asylum claims. The Cyprus News Agency reports that about ten EU member states back Cyprus’s initiative, with a conference scheduled in May to push the European Commission for a decision.
Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou has embarked on a European tour to garner support, discussing the situation with officials from Denmark, the Czech Republic, and Greece. Notably, Austria has also voiced support for Cyprus’s plan. However, not all EU member states are aligned with this approach; Sweden has clarified that it has not taken a position on declaring parts of Syria safe.
The Cypriot government’s assertion that areas like Damascus and Tartus are safe is based on assessments from the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA). While Tartus is deemed generally risk-free, the EUAA advises caution with Damascus due to potential individual risk factors. Moreover, routes to Damascus are fraught with danger, passing through conflict zones like Homs and Dar’a governorate.
Despite these assessments, the situation remains complex. Recent bombings at the Iranian embassy in Damascus highlight ongoing regional tensions, underscoring the challenges in designating areas within Syria as unequivocally safe for returnees.
