Cyprus saw the second largest rate of new asylum seeker applications per million of the population in the EU behind Austria, according to the latest Eurostat data. First-time asylum applications increased by
The Law Commissioner’s Office is preparing a bill to speed up asylum seeker applications and introduce penalties if they violate their terms of stay. The Interior Ministry requested tighter time frames for
Cypriot riot police used tear gas to quell violence at a migrant reception centre on Friday after clashes between different ethnic groups caused a fire to break out, authorities said. Police said
Cyprus believes there is an abuse of the EU asylum system and that some applicants falsely claim they are at risk from countries such as Syria, said Interior Minister Nicos Nouris. In
Authorities are stepping up efforts to repatriate failed asylum seekers to alleviate pressure on reception centres and social welfare. According to police data, this year (up until August 19), 3,680 foreign nationals
In April, 54,145 first-time asylum applicants applied for international protection in the 27-member bloc, up 66% compared to a year ago (32,570) but down 28% from March (74,950). The decrease from March is attributed to the
Cyprus is creaking under increased migrant flows, said Interior Minister Nicos Nouris, arguing that asylum seekers are 5% of the population, as applications rise by 140%. Nouris blamed Turkey for putting Cyprus
The UN High Commission for Refugees acknowledges Cyprus is one of Europe’s frontline states facing increasing migratory pressures, but it needs to implement fast and fair asylum procedures. The UNHCR Representative in
Cyprus said Wednesday it is suffering a “migration crisis” and seeks to suspend asylum applications to those entering the Mediterranean island illegally. President Nicos Anastasiades held an emergency meeting Wednesday with ministers
Interior Minister Nicos Nouris told MPs that Cyprus had prevented illegal immigrants from arriving by boat while clamping down on sham marriages. Nouris, who briefed the House Interior Committee, said Cyprus ranks
