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from the Representation in Cyprus January — April, 2014

1% 3%

96%

Decisions 2003-2013

Refugee Status

Subsidiary Protection

Refusals/Closures

Legislation On 15 April new amendments to the refugee legislation entered into force. The changes that UNHCR is most concerned with take away family reunification rights and protection against expulsion from persons granted subsidiary protection instead of refugee status. Read the UNHCR Cyprus press release

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2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

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Asylum Applications 2003-2013

In total more than 48,000 asylum applications were submitted in the Republic of Cyprus over the past 10 years.

Between 2003 and 2007, Cyprus had the highest number of asylum applications per capita among 51 industrialised countries and in

2010 still ranked first among the 27 EU Member States. Thereafter, there was a sharp decrease in the number of applications

submitted approximately by 40% in 2011 and reduced further in 2012 and 2013.

Between 2003-2013, 3% of the applications were granted subsidiary protection and 1% refugee status; 96% were refused or closed.

In 2013, the top 10 countries of origin of asylum seekers in Cyprus were Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Bangladesh, Viet Nam, Sri Lanka, Iran,

Pakistan, India and Philippines.

A decade of refugee protection in Cyprus

Detention

UNHCR and lawyers working with UNHCR visit periodically the Menogia detention center where not only undocumented migrants are held, but also asylum-seekers including Syrians without proper documents. Few Syrians are now detained, further to repeated UNHCR interventions. Asylum-seekers may be detained under deportation orders when their asylum case has been refused by the administration organs and have appealed/could appeal to the Supreme Court for judicial review. The European Court of Human Rights and the Cyprus Supreme Court have both declared such practices unlawful. In the case of Zoran Todorovic v the Republic (February 2014), the Supreme Court of Cyprus condemned the practice of continued detention of irregular migrants under renewed deportation orders, characterizing it as a “gross and flagrant violation” of national and EU law . The case relates to a failed asylum seeker who was re-arrested in the yard of the Supreme Court as soon as a decision of the Court ordered his release from detention.

Amnesty International has expressed particular concern over the detention of migrants and asylum seekers, particularly regarding the practice of forcibly separating very young children from their parents who are put in detention. Full story Read UNHCR’s related comments There were also cases where babies were placed in detention with their mothers. UNHCR had to intervene end of last year in one case from Afghanistan. Read the story here

“The Contracting States shall not impose penalties, on account of their illegal entry or presence, on refugees who, coming directly from a territory where their life or freedom was threatened… enter or are present in their territory without authorization, provided they present themselves without delay to the authorities and show good cause for their illegal entry or presence….”

Article 31, 1951 Refugee Convention

NEWS

An anti-trafficking law amendment which ensures better protection for trafficking victims was enacted on 15 April. UNHCR had submitted its comments to the Parliament during the consultation process recommending the adoption of adequate provisions to ensure that potential victims receive the required assistance and protection as soon as there are reasonable grounds for believing that a person is a trafficking victim.

Syria Crisis The conflict in Syria has entered its fourth year with more than 2.5 million refugees compelled to flee the country. The neighboring countries have demonstrated extraordinary generosity in receiving and hosting them. They bear a near-impossible strain, for which they need a far greater support of the international community including through the offer of resettlement and other forms of humanitarian admission places for the refugees. UNHCR has called upon States to provide 30,00 such places in 2014 and an additional 100,000 in 2015 and 2016. This will be discussed at a High Level Meeting UNHCR is convening in Geneva on 27 June 2014.

UNHCR expresses great concern over the

actions of the Cyprus police against a

recognized refugee. Read UNHCR

statement

Working with the youth In cooperation with the Ombudswoman’s office, UNHCR visits schools to raise awareness on issues of refugees, asylum, migration and tolerance. Since January 2014, approximately 1000 students in 20 schools, mainly of secondary education, have been involved in this project. More information on UNHCR’s education activities School Competitions

Europe Act Now

A Pan-European campaign on the Syria refugee crisis was launched by Future World Center, KISA, and ECRE asking Europe to act now and protect Syrians fleeing the conflict. UNHCR participated in the kick off press conference in March and in a public discussion organised in May.

Read the UNHCR Representative statement at the press conference Read the Statement at the conference on April 30

Achilleas Zavallis, a freelance war reporter and photographer who covered the war in Syria during

2012-2013, presented his work at the launching conference.

View his gallery

Children

Since the end of last year, an increasing number of separated children are seeking

asylum in Cyprus. Early this year, UNHCR had to intervene on behalf of a number of

Somali separated children who were arrested and detained for attempted departure

from Cyprus using false travel documents. They were detained in the same facilities

and under the same conditions as adults.

In February, UNHCR conducted a seminar for twenty immigration police officers on

issues relating to the protection of children and other vulnerable groups seeking

asylum in Cyprus.

In April, UNHCR participated in a roundtable discussion organized by the NGO Hope

for Children. Some 50 participants from the welfare office, police and NGOs discussed the protection issues concerning

separated and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

Integration

A group of refugees held a sit-in protest in front of Ministry of Interior for over 50 days. They were demanding support and assistance for their effective integration, including access to naturalisation. Read statement from UNHCR Representative

Feature Story

UNHCR advocates for naturalization of refugees and better integration in Cypriot society. Read UNHCR story on how citizenship creates a sense of belonging for refugees

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The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) - Representation in Cyprus

www.unhcr.org.cy

Tel.: +357 22359057/43

Learn more about the alarm over South Sudan’s food crisis,

causing malnutrition and outbreak of disease

Other emergencies around the world

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Central African Republic, drastic crisis in Bangui needs more

international support Read WFP news report

Asylum trends in industrialised countries, 2013

In the region

Read a UNHCR report on the growing number of asylum seekers and migrants risking their lives on the Mediterranean sea. Story on Syrian refugees perishing at sea, a mile off the Greek coast Italy rescues 6,000 people crossing the Mediterranean in four days

In 2013, Germany ranked first in the number of asylum applications received (109,580), followed by France (60,100), Sweden (54,260), Turkey (44,810) and UK(29,190)

In 2013 alone, almost 1.8 million Syrians were registered by UNHCR in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt.

Read more about UNHCR’s report on the trends of asylum

applications in industrialized countries in 2013

World Refugee Day 2014

First marked in 2001, World Refugee Day is held every year on June 20. Tens of thousands of people around the world take time to recognize and applaud the contribution of forcibly displaced people throughout the world. The annual commemoration is marked by a variety of events in more than 100 countries, involving government officials, humanitarian aid workers, celebrities, civilians and the forcibly displaced themselves. This year the focus is on the impact of war on families.

Stay tuned for information on World Refugee Day 2014 commemoration in Cyprus