Cyprus’ initiative to reassess the safety of certain areas of Syria to block asylum application examination was met with scepticism by MEP Fabienne Keller, who characterised the endeavour as difficult due to Syria’s unstable situation.
Keller, the rapporteur for the border returns procedure proposal, emphasised the challenges posed by Syria’s authoritarian leadership and struggling economy, making it hard for returnees to find work.
Acknowledging Cyprus’ plight as the EU country with the highest number of asylum applications per capita, even before the increased arrivals from Lebanon, Keller recognised the complex dynamics involving Turkey and the occupation of Cyprus in migrant transfers.
She advocated for finding ways to support Cyprus, having witnessed the dire conditions at the Pournara Reception Centre first-hand.
Meanwhile, Tomas Tobé, the rapporteur for asylum and migration policy reform, urged EU member states to unite and address the migration crisis collectively. He emphasised the need for a common position on Syria, currently lacking, and suggested a reassessment of the situation, leaving the door open for potential solutions.
Speaking at the ‘European Elections 2024 for Innovative Media’ seminar, both MEPs called for tangible solidarity from EU countries, each contributing their fair share to tackle the pressing migration challenges faced by frontline states like Cyprus.
Nicosia last weekend announced it was suspending the processing of asylum applications amid a sharp increase in the number of Syrians arriving in Cyprus from Lebanon. It wants its European Union partners to reconsider the status of Syria, now out of bounds for returns.
Suspending the examination of asylum requests means new arrivals will either have to stay in government reception camps with food and shelter and regulated exits, or live elsewhere and forfeit any right to a benefit.
Cyprus says the EU already has an assessment by its own asylum agency, the EUAA, that two governates in Syria – Damascus and Tartous – present no real risk to civilians of falling victim to indiscriminate violence.
The U.N. human rights office stated earlier this year that based on evidence it has gathered, Syrian refugees who fled the ongoing Syrian civil war are facing gross human rights violations such as torture and abduction on their return to Syria, while women are subject to sexual harassment and violence.
(With information from Reuters)
