Newsroom
Cyprus will be required to investigate complaints of illegal migrant pushbacks starting in June 2026 under new European legislation, a European Commission spokesperson confirmed. The move is part of the EU’s sweeping new immigration framework, which mandates an independent monitoring mechanism to ensure accountability and transparency in border control procedures.
However, the Cypriot government has already made it clear that it does not acknowledge the existence of pushbacks, with Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas publicly dismissing the need for any investigations. Despite this stance, Brussels believes that Cyprus already has a competent authority to handle such complaints, the Office of the Commissioner for Administration and Human Rights Protection (Ombudsman).
A New Independent Watchdog
According to Kathimerini's George Kakouris, under the EU’s new Migration and Asylum Pact, member states must establish an independent body to oversee border procedures and investigate allegations of human rights violations. According to Article 10 of Regulation 2024/1356, this mechanism must be fully independent and equipped to monitor compliance with asylum laws, ensure the rights of vulnerable groups, such as children, and thoroughly investigate credible allegations of unlawful returns.
The European Commission has outlined a roadmap for implementing these reforms, stressing that national governments must adjust their legal frameworks to comply. While existing bodies like national ombudsmen can take on these responsibilities, they must operate autonomously, free from influence by government agencies overseeing asylum and migration policies.
Lingering Questions After Tragedy at Sea
Cyprus’ handling of migrant arrivals has come under scrutiny following a tragic incident in mid-March. Reports surfaced of a migrant boat disappearing after an alleged pushback, only for seven bodies to be discovered off Cape Greco days later. Two survivors were rescued by the Larnaca Search and Rescue Coordination Center (SARC), but the fate of others remains unknown.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) called on the Cypriot government to investigate claims by NGOs that the boat had been forcibly turned back. Officials, including the Defense Minister and the Deputy Minister of State for Immigration, flatly denied the allegations, insisting no inquiry was needed.
Brussels’ Frustration
The European Commission initially sidestepped questions about Cyprus’ obligations under the new rules. When first asked on March 19 whether the government had a duty to investigate the alleged pushback, EU officials provided no clear response.
It was only on March 28, after repeated inquiries, that Commission spokesperson Marcus Lamert publicly addressed the issue. He reaffirmed that "rescuing people in distress at sea is both a moral duty and a legal obligation under international law," applicable in all circumstances.
Lamert also confirmed that Cyprus must establish an independent investigative authority in compliance with the new regulations by June 2026. However, he was unable to say whether the government had already appointed a body to fulfill this role.
What Happens Next?
As the deadline approaches, Cyprus must decide whether to formally empower its Ombudsman’s Office to oversee migrant complaints or create an entirely new body. Whichever route it takes, the watchdog will need to operate independently, have the authority to conduct unrestricted investigations, and receive adequate funding and staffing.
Guidelines from the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) emphasize that such monitoring bodies must be separate from migration authorities, have full investigative powers, and publish findings and recommendations publicly. They must also coordinate with existing human rights institutions and other EU agencies overseeing asylum and border management.
With just over two years before the regulation takes effect, Cyprus faces mounting pressure to align its policies with EU law. Whether it chooses to comply, or continue denying the existence of pushbacks, remains to be seen.
