A tragic shipwreck off Cape Greco has reignited concerns over Cyprus’ handling of migration, as at least seven migrants lost their lives. The incident has drawn criticism from NGOs and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which accuses Cypriot authorities of forcibly returning migrants to Syria. However, the Cypriot government has denied the allegations, insisting that it has acted within the law.
The UNHCR released a statement claiming that on March 14, Cypriot authorities intercepted three boats carrying around 80 Syrian migrants and forced them back. The agency condemned these alleged pushbacks, stating that they violate international law and the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits sending asylum seekers back to dangerous conditions. Human rights groups have also raised concerns about Cyprus’ approach, particularly in light of its recent policies aimed at deterring migrants.
In response, Cyprus’ Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas dismissed the accusations, expressing frustration over what he called unfair criticism. He argued that the authorities had deployed rescue teams when reports of a migrant boat surfaced but found no distress signals. He defended the actions of the Cypriot forces, saying they work daily to save lives. Similarly, Deputy Minister of Immigration Nicolas Ioannidis rejected the UNHCR’s claims, calling them misleading and questioning the credibility of some NGO reports.
The Cypriot government has issued a strong denial, stating that it has not engaged in pushbacks or used force to deter migrants. Officials criticized social media reports that accused the country of mistreating asylum seekers, arguing that misinformation was being spread to damage Cyprus’ reputation. They also stressed that the Cape Greco tragedy should not be linked to earlier distress calls reported by NGOs, as the authorities had responded to multiple incidents in recent days.
Meanwhile, opposition party AKEL has called for an independent investigation into the Cape Greco shipwreck, arguing that Cyprus needs to ensure transparency in its handling of migrants. The party pointed out that previous administrations had denied involvement in pushbacks, only to be later found guilty by the European Court of Human Rights and fined for violating migrant rights.
As Cyprus faces growing scrutiny, the debate over its migration policies continues. With thousands of migrants attempting to reach the island each year, human rights advocates are urging the government to uphold international protections while ensuring fair and humane treatment for asylum seekers.