Cyprus Faces Scrutiny Over Alleged Migrant Pushbacks Amid Government Denials

March 20, 2025 – Cyprus – 

Allegations of migrant pushbacks by Cypriot authorities have sparked significant controversy, with international organizations, journalists, and opposition parties raising concerns, while the Cypriot government firmly denies any wrongdoing.

In March 2025, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that Cypriot authorities intercepted three boats carrying approximately 80 Syrian migrants, including women and children, near Larnaca port and forced them to return to Syria without allowing them to seek asylum. Cypriot Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis disputed these claims, stating that only two boats were involved and that they were intercepted near Lebanon’s territorial waters, with assistance requested from Lebanon in line with a bilateral agreement. He emphasized that Cyprus does not engage in pushbacks and adheres to international legal obligations.

Further complicating the issue, journalist Constantinos Constantinou published photographs and videos alleging a pushback incident involving approximately 80 migrants. The Justice Minister questioned the authenticity of these materials, describing them as “of dubious quality and origin” . Constantinou defended his evidence and expressed willingness to testify if an investigative committee is appointed.

The Progressive Party of Working People (AKEL), Cyprus’s main opposition party, has called for an independent investigation into the pushback allegations, highlighting concerns over the government’s handling of such incidents and referencing previous European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rulings against Cyprus for similar actions.

In October 2024, the ECHR ruled that Cyprus violated the rights of two Syrian asylum seekers by preventing them from applying for asylum and returning them to Lebanon without processing their claims, constituting degrading treatment.

The Cypriot government maintains that it respects maritime law and international regulations, asserting that patrols and surveillance activities are within its legitimate rights and do not deviate from international operational standards. However, human rights organizations argue that such actions may violate the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to countries where they may face persecution or serious harm.

This ongoing dispute underscores the challenges faced by countries balancing border security with obligations under international human rights law, particularly in the context of increasing migration flows in the Mediterranean region.

Reference – 

https://easterncyprus.com/viewtopic.php?t=123559

https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/cyprus-defence-minister-rejects-migrant-pushback-allegations/

https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/cyprus-migrant-pushback-allegations-evidence-dispute/