Cyprus Faces Criticism for Paying Syrian Refugees to Return Under EU Plan

Key Takeaways

• Cyprus deported 12,600 individuals via the “voluntary” return program, funded 90% by the EU with €9.7 million (May 2022–Sept 2024).
• December 2023 law bans asylum seekers entering irregularly from gaining Cypriot citizenship, eliminating settlement options for future applicants.
• Asylum claims for Syrians were halted in April 2024, leaving refugees unable to work or access essential services, worsening conditions.

Cyprus 🇨🇾 has ramped up its efforts to deport Syrian refugees using a controversial “voluntary” return program. Refugees who agree to take part in the program receive €1,500 and a one-way ticket back to their home country or a third country. While this approach is financially supported by the European Union (EU) 🇪🇺, human rights groups and legal experts have raised alarm over reported coercion and deteriorating living conditions faced by refugees on the island.

Between May 2022 and September 2024, the European Commission allocated €9.7 million to Cyprus to fund its assisted voluntary return program. This funding covered 90% of the program’s expenses. In this timeframe, Cypriot authorities deported approximately 12,600 individuals as part of what they term “voluntary” returns. This figure represents about 1.3% of the country’s total population—a staggering ratio compared to other EU nations.

Cyprus Faces Criticism for Paying Syrian Refugees to Return Under EU Plan

Pressuring Refugees to Leave

Despite being called “voluntary,” the return program has faced criticism for its methods. In April 2024, Cypriot officials halted the processing of asylum claims for Syrians, including some who had been awaiting decisions for over four years. With asylum cases frozen, refugees have found themselves unable to work or access essential services, plunging many into uncertainty and despair.

Adding to their difficulties, newly arrived refugees are banned from taking jobs during their first nine months in Cyprus. They are also often denied access to basic humanitarian aid or housing support. This has forced many into conditions of homelessness and extreme poverty. Refugee rights advocates argue that such conditions are designed to make staying in Cyprus so unbearable that refugees view returning as their only realistic option.

Risks of Returning to Syria

Refugees consider returning home despite the ongoing dangers in Syria 🇸🇾, where the war has created widespread violence and instability. Human rights groups and the Cypriot Supreme Court have voiced concern over the methods used to detain and deport asylum seekers. In one notable ruling, the country’s Supreme Court criticized efforts to detain Syrians indefinitely while Cypriot authorities attempted to identify third countries for deportation, knowing Syria was still unsafe.

The EU border agency, Frontex, has also been involved in providing logistical assistance for voluntary returns. However, a spokesperson from the agency clarified that they do not support or directly facilitate returns to Syria from Cyprus or any other EU country. Instead, Frontex staff in Cyprus offer information to refugees who inquire about returning “on their own initiative.”

Cyprus’ Deportation Record in the EU

Cyprus has positioned itself as a leader in EU deportation statistics, at least on a per-capita basis. In 2022, then-Minister of Interior Nicos Nouris claimed the country ranked first among EU members in deportations per capita. Although external reviews showed the figures were somewhat inflated, Cyprus still remains one of the EU’s most aggressive nations in carrying out deportations.

The EU has also voiced approval of Cyprus’ return program, citing it as a successful model. In October 2024, the European Commission allotted €25 million to test new approaches for incentivizing voluntary returns, taking Cyprus’ existing program as an example. Critics, however, argue that encouraging such policies undermines the EU’s stated commitments to protect refugees and uphold international rights.

Refugee Citizenship Ban Tightens

Adding to refugee frustrations, Cyprus passed a new policy in December 2023 barring asylum seekers who enter the country irregularly from ever gaining Cypriot citizenship. While not retroactive, this law effectively eliminates permanent settlement options for many future applicants. Refugees have described the situation as akin to being imprisoned. “It feels like living in a cage,” one Syrian refugee shared.

The policy has led many to give up hope of staying in Cyprus. By early 2025, hundreds of Syrian asylum seekers in Cyprus formally withdrew their asylum applications. Among recent arrivals, 1,367 individuals expressed their intention to return to Syria, with nearly 944 of them also withdrawing their legal appeals for asylum.

The Bigger Picture

Cyprus receives more asylum applications per capita than any other EU member state, making migration a critical issue for the small Mediterranean country. By the end of May 2024, 4,437 people had sought asylum in Cyprus that year, with a large portion hailing from war-torn Syria. Faced with rising numbers, Cyprus has enacted tougher and often controversial restrictions, including pushing back boats of migrants at sea and restricting access at its land border with northern Cyprus, which remains under Turkish occupation.

The rise in anti-immigrant sentiment has also played a role. For years, far-right political groups in Cyprus have fueled racist and xenophobic rhetoric. Observers claim that this climate of hostility has created a “vicious cycle” where restrictive immigration policies embolden anti-migrant violence, which in turn drives further policy crackdowns.

EU Support and Criticism

Despite international outrage, the EU has continued to provide financial and logistical backing to Cyprus. In May 2024, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides announced a comprehensive €1 billion funding package for Lebanon to strengthen border controls and limit migration toward the EU. This package has drawn criticism for allegedly encouraging Lebanon’s mistreatment of Syrian refugees within its borders.

Domestically, Cyprus is also poised to receive an additional €30 million from the European Commission to improve its coastal monitoring system. This investment aims to reduce the number of irregular arrivals and curb organized smuggling activity. While these measures might boost border security, human rights groups remain skeptical about their impact on refugees seeking safety.

Pushback From Courts

The tough measures enacted by Cyprus have drawn scrutiny from international watchdogs and courts. In October 2024, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Cyprus had violated Syrian refugees’ rights by detaining them and denying their requests for asylum. The legal judgment highlighted the ongoing tension between Cyprus’ border control strategies and its obligations under international law.

What Lies Ahead

Looking forward, the government of Cyprus has pledged to make reforms in how it handles migration. The Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection, created in June 2024, has announced plans to bring in permanent staff and streamline services for refugees. However, many observers question whether these changes will address the fundamental issues—such as limited asylum rights and poor living conditions—that have drawn so much criticism.

For now, the situation for Syrian refugees remains precarious. The combination of financial incentives, forced policy restrictions, and deteriorating living conditions means many refugees feel compelled to leave, regardless of the dangers back in Syria.

A Balancing Act for Cyprus

As a frontline EU state, Cyprus faces a difficult challenge. It must balance its responsibility to ensure border security with its humanitarian obligations under international law. The EU’s ongoing financial and vocal support for deportation programs in nations like Cyprus also raises broader concerns about the direction of migration policy across Europe.

For Syrian refugees in Cyprus, the choices remain grim. Living in poverty without the ability to work or access services leaves many feeling as though there are no desirable options. Civil society groups and legal experts continue to call for greater accountability, both from Cyprus and the EU.

For more detailed information about Cyprus’ asylum and migration policies, visit the European Commission’s Immigration and Home Affairs page. Additionally, ongoing coverage of migration issues can be found at trusted sources like VisaVerge.com, which provides insights into immigration policy across Europe.

Learn Today

Voluntary Return Program → A scheme offering financial aid and travel for refugees to return to their home or third countries.
Asylum Claims → Legal requests by individuals seeking protection and refuge in a foreign country due to persecution or danger.
Frontex → The European Union’s border agency assisting with border control, migration management, and logistical support for returns.
Per Capita → A statistical term meaning “per person,” used to compare data relative to population size.
Irregularly → A term describing actions that deviate from legal or standard procedures, often used in migration contexts (e.g., illegal border crossings).

This Article in a Nutshell

Cyprus faces criticism over its “voluntary” refugee return program, offering €1,500 to return home. Critics argue deteriorating conditions coerce Syrians into leaving, despite ongoing dangers in Syria. Supported by EU funding, the program raises questions about balancing border control with refugee rights. Is Europe compromising humanitarian values for stricter migration policies?
— By VisaVerge.com