The Cyprus Green Party and the Cyprus Animal Party have condemned what they describe as an “outrageous and unacceptable situation” involving citizens stranded in the United Arab Emirates. At least 50 Greek and Cypriot citizens remain trapped in Dubai due to airlines’ refusal to allow them to travel with their pets.
The parties stated that, while people attempt to return to their home countries, certain airlines have shown indifference, callousness, and a complete lack of humanity, hiding behind regulations and procedures. In essence, they are demanding that people abandon their pets to travel.
“This is not just immoral — it’s disgraceful,” the two parties said in their statement. “Animals are not luggage, nor objects, nor ‘cargo’ that can be left behind. They are family members to those who care for them. The demand to abandon them is a form of moral extortion and a practice that has no place in a society that considers itself civilised.”
The Cyprus Green Party and the Cyprus Animal Party are calling on the airlines involved — whose details and names they already have — to immediately resolve the situation and allow these citizens to travel safely with their pets.
The parties are also urging relevant authorities, governments, and stakeholders to intervene promptly to end this unacceptable situation.
“Otherwise, we will proceed with a full public denunciation and exposure of these airlines, both nationally and internationally. Society has the right to know which companies turn their backs on humanity and coerce people into abandoning their animals,” they added.
“This stance will not go unchallenged. Animals are family, and we do not abandon family.”
