On Tuesday, the community advocacy group Syrians in Cyprus raised concerns about the "tight" timeline outlined in the government's new voluntary repatriation plan for Syrian asylum seekers in Cyprus.
"The three-month window for submitting applications to join the program creates a pressing deadline for decisions that significantly impact families, particularly children. This situation fosters a 'fear of missing out,' as individuals may feel they are losing a unique opportunity if they do not act quickly," the group stated.
While they expressed support for initiatives that facilitate voluntary returns to Syria, they emphasized that such returns must be fully informed and entirely voluntary.
The statement indicated that repatriations must occur “without direct or indirect coercion, whether as a form of ‘buy off’ or driven by impulse or desperation.”
The plan primarily targets families, requiring asylum seekers to withdraw their claims and those already granted asylum to renounce their international protection. In each couple, one spouse will receive a two-year work visa, which can be extended for an additional year.
The rest of the family will leave the island and receive financial incentives: €2,000 for the spouse returning to Syria and €1,000 for each dependent child.
Applications for this plan will be accepted only until August 31, giving those considering a return to Cyprus just three months to make their decision.
The Cyprus Refugee Council previously expressed concerns to the Cyprus Mail regarding the plan, stating that “promoting return at this time, particularly for women and children, without conducting assessments of the conditions they will face upon return, undermines the best interests of the children and could place many in vulnerable situations.” They emphasized, “After 14 years of war, a country cannot become functional in just a few months.”
Last month, the European Union lifted all economic sanctions on Syria, except for a few that are “based on security grounds.” The EU’s foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, remarked that “this decision is simply the right thing to do at this historic moment, as it allows the EU to genuinely support Syria’s recovery and a political transition that meets the aspirations of all Syrians.”
Previously, Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos assured that the Syrian people “can be confident that Cyprus will stand with them” as the lifting of sanctions approaches. He stated, “Our aim is to guarantee that the Syrian people receive the support they require, which is accompanied by the necessary conditions that are essential to this process.”
