A group of Syrian asylum seekers in Cyprus has issued an open letter to government officials, urging faster application processing and earlier access to work opportunities amidst growing concerns over delays and restrictions.
The letter, addressed to the President, parliamentary leaders, and other high-ranking officials, expressed gratitude for Cyprus’s hospitality while detailing challenges faced by Syrian asylum seekers on the island.
Key issues highlighted include:
- A decision to suspend the examination of Syrian asylum applications from April 2024, affecting approximately 10,000 cases
- The current nine-month work ban for new arrivals
- Difficulties in obtaining driving licences, full healthcare registration, and opening bank accounts
The group stated that prolonged waiting periods for application processing, in some cases exceeding three years, have led to “despair and a sense of further victimisation”. They warned that this situation has created opportunities for exploitation, with some individuals promising faster processing in exchange for payment.
“We do not wish in any way to be an economic burden on the State’s finances”, the group wrote, emphasising their desire to contribute to the Cypriot economy and social insurance system.
The letter also requested expanded Greek language learning programmes and improved communication about policy changes affecting asylum seekers, suggesting the use of Arabic text messages for important announcements.
Notably, the group congratulated Cyprus on its election to the UN Human Rights Council for 2025-2027, while pointing out that an average of 84 Syrian civilians have been killed daily since the beginning of the civil war, according to UN data.
Cyprus, an EU member state, has experienced increased refugee arrivals due to its proximity to conflict zones in the Middle East. The government has recently implemented measures to manage the influx, including recruiting additional staff to examine asylum applications, upgrading reception facilities, and developing mechanisms for hosting unaccompanied minors.
The letter was also sent to various ministries, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, business federations, and media outlets.
Nicosia has been lobbying the European Union to declare parts of Syria as safe for repatriation and has terminated the examination of asylum applications from Syrian nationals.
However, the U.N. human rights office has stated that based on evidence it has gathered, Syrian refugees who fled the ongoing Syrian civil war are facing gross human rights violations such as torture and abduction on their return to Syria, while women are subject to sexual harassment and violence.
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