Surge in Syrian migrants leaving Lebanon for Cyprus
Cyprus has expressed concern amidst a surge Syrian migrants leaving Lebanon, with approximately 350 arrivals recorded in just two days, according to The New Arab and agencies on February 2nd.
Cyprus – a mere 160 km from Lebanon and Syria – is geographically close to the plight of Syrian refugees in Lebanon. While Lebanon is home to over 2 million refugees from Syria, the country’s own domestic crisis has made life as an asylum seeker increasingly hard, accounting for Cyprus’s rapid increase in refugees.
On March 11th alone, Cyprus recorded a staggering 458 individuals seeking asylum.
Amidst this surge, Cypriot President, Nikos Christodoulides, addressed the issue head-on by directly appealing to Lebanon.
“I fully understand the challenges Lebanon is facing but exporting migrants to Cyprus should not be the answer and cannot be accepted”, President Christodoulides said.
Following a discussion with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Nicosia brought up the possibility of the European Union (EU) designating specific areas of war-torn Syria as secure zones. Such a designation could pave the way for the forced repatriation of refugees currently seeking asylum in neighbouring countries.
Similar calls to designate areas in Syria as secure were made by Cyprus’ Interior Minister, Constantinos Ioannou, who pushed the need for a solution to the “asphyxiating pressure” of Syrian migrants.
Meanwhile the EU has stepped up agreements with several countries in a bid to reduce migrants. Egypt has recently entered a “strategic partnership” with the EU on March 17th, agreeing to cut down on migration in reward with a €7.4 billion funding package, in which €200 million is set aside for managing migration alone. In addition, Egypt has been promised increased opportunities in trade, security, and renewable energy, with grants and funding to boost its economy.
READ: EU makes “strategic partnership” deal with Egypt
The deal also echoes an earlier strategic partnership between the EU and Tunisia made in 2023 aiming to cut down on African migration. The deal resulted in thousands of Africans left stranded, exacerbating their already heightened vulnerability.
Despite the devastating impacts, European governments maintain such agreements are “the best way to address migratory flows”, according to Italian Prime Minister, Giorga Meloni, who oversaw the recent EU-Egypt agreement.
EU commissioner Schinas also recently reported that the EU could reach a deal with Lebanon. Schinas made the comments on a trip to Cyprus, saying “We had worked with Egypt for quite some time, but I consider that it’s absolutely realistic to move in a corresponding manner with Lebanon.”
However, Doctors without Borders (MSF) has reproached the EU for backing harsh measures conducted by its partner countries to restrict migration. For example, despite Libyan authorities’ mistreatment of migrants – including firing at a migrant boat attempting to leave – the EU has refused to reduce funding, continuing to fund the coast guard. Moreover, in early March, the UK pledged to grant Libya £1.2 million to counter migrants heading for Europe.
READ: EU urged to cease support for Libyan coast guard
Migrants fleeing conflicts have faced a harrowing continuum of hardship. Escaping one dire situation, they often find themselves exploited in intermediary countries such as Lebanon, before embarking on yet more dangerous journeys in search of safety. While promising safety, the passage to their hoped-for havens often proves to be deadly. The Missing Migrants Project, recorded a total of 3,041 people dead or missing after attempting to cross the Mediterranean in 2023 alone.
In the face of objections and evident concerns regarding human rights, the EU seems steadfast in its efforts to curtail immigration – by any means possible.
The New Arab / Agencies
