ECHR rules Cyprus violated Syrian refugees' rights

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that the Republic of Cyprus violated the human rights of two Syrian refugees after intercepting their boat and preventing them from reaching Cypriot shores. The court found that Cyprus breached multiple articles of the European Convention on Human Rights during the incident.

The refugees, who were fleeing the destruction of their home in Syria, attempted to seek asylum after being stopped by Cypriot port police. According to the ECHR, an interpreter aboard the boat informed them that no one would be allowed to enter Cyprus and that they would be escorted back to Lebanon if they did not turn around voluntarily. Despite the refugees’ requests for asylum, citing their Syrian nationality and the ongoing conflict, Cypriot authorities insisted they were prohibited from entering the country under a new law.

Court Findings

The ECHR identified several violations in Cyprus's handling of the situation:

- Article 3: The court ruled that Cyprus violated the prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment.
- Article 4 of Protocol No. 4: The court found that the country violated the prohibition of collective expulsion of aliens.
- Article 13 (with Articles 3 and 4 of Protocol No. 4): The court cited a lack of effective legal remedies available to the refugees in challenging their expulsion.

Political Response

AKEL Member of the European Parliament Aristos Damianou confirmed in a public statement that the issue will be discussed by the Cypriot House of Representatives Home Affairs Committee, signaling the political implications of the ruling.

The judgment highlights concerns about Cyprus's treatment of refugees and could prompt further scrutiny of the nation's immigration and asylum policies.