20 Migrants Arrive in Larnaca, Cyprus After Paying Smugglers

On April 16, 2024, a boat carrying 20 irregular migrants, including one woman, six children, and 13 men, was spotted off the coast of Cape Greco in Cyprus. Authorities escorted the boat to the safety of Larnaca port. The migrants told officials they had paid 3,000 euros each to an unknown smuggler to be transported from Syria to Cyprus.

After being registered at the port, the migrants were transferred to the Pournara reception center. There are unconfirmed reports that two other boats may have also been sighted on Wednesday.

The arrival of these migrants comes amid a recent decision by the Cypriot government to suspend asylum seeker applications from Syrian nationals for up to 21 months, citing a surge in arrivals. Human rights experts have criticized this move as discriminatory and lacking legal justification. The government also plans to revoke the protection status of around 30 individuals who traveled to Syria via the north in the past year, without the right to appeal.

However, the UNHCR has stated that such travel alone does not present grounds for withdrawing international protection status. While EU laws allow for an extension in the time permitted to process asylum applications, experts argue this provision should be applied on an individual basis, not in response to a surge in applications.

The UNHCR has urged Cyprus to continue upholding its international obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention and the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the return of refugees to places where their lives or freedom would be threatened.

Why this matters: The arrival of these migrants and the Cypriot government's response highlight the ongoing challenges faced by countries in managing irregular migration flows. The suspension of asylum applications and revocation of protection status raise concerns about the treatment of vulnerable individuals seeking refuge.

Katja Saha, the UNHCR representative in Cyprus, emphasized the importance of upholding international commitments, stating, "Cyprus must continue to fulfill its obligations under the Refugee Convention and ensure that asylum seekers have access to a fair and efficient asylum procedure." As the situation develops, the international community will be closely monitoring Cyprus' handling of irregular migration and its adherence to human rights principles.

Key Takeaways

• 20 irregular migrants, incl. 1 woman, 6 children, 13 men, arrived in Cyprus.
• Migrants paid 3,000 euros each to smugglers to be transported from Syria to Cyprus.
• Cyprus suspended asylum applications from Syrians for 21 months, drawing criticism.
• Cyprus plans to revoke protection status of 30 individuals who traveled to Syria.
• UNHCR urges Cyprus to uphold its obligations under the Refugee Convention.