The Plenum of the House of Representatives has passed a bill that amends the Refugees Law. The legislation modernises the international protection system and clarifies responsibilities after creating the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection.
Main provisions of the new law
The bill transfers specific powers to the Council of Ministers, the Deputy Minister, or the Head of the Asylum Service. It also creates a clear procedure to revoke international protection status for individuals who fall under exclusion clauses. Beneficiaries now have ten days to submit representations before final revocation, in full compliance with EU Directive 2011/95/EU.
Parliament approved the bill with 27 votes in favour and 15 against. AKEL, the Ecologists, Kostis Efstathiou, and Alexandra Attalidou voted against it.
Tense debate reflects deep divisions
MPs clashed sharply throughout the debate, revealing starkly different views on migration policy and the administrative powers granted to the Deputy Ministry.
ELAM MP Sotiris Ioannou claimed vindication for his party, noting that the government now adopts measures. ELAM first proposed in 2022 to strip offenders of protection status. He directly linked rising crime to migration pressure and demanded tougher deportations.
DIKO MP Panikos Leonidou praised recent government actions that improved the migration situation. He argued that immediate revocation of status for criminals protects public safety and requires beneficiaries to respect their host country.
Independent socialist MP Kostis Efstathiou criticised the transfer of administrative powers to the Deputy Minister. He insisted that an official appointed by the President should not make such decisions without judicial oversight and urged MPs to reject the bill.
AKEL MP Aristos Damianou stressed that crime in Cyprus has both local and foreign origins. He warned against blanket revocation rules that could damage Cyprus’s international reputation and called for case-by-case examination.
MPs from all parties state their positions
DIKO MP Christiana Erotokritou described the bill as essential harmonisation with EU law. She pointed out that the ten-day deadline matches other legal procedures and that serious offenders must lose protection.
DIKO MP Chrysanthos Savvides highlighted the heavy migration burden on Paphos, especially in schools and hospitals. He labelled most crime “imported” and insisted migrants must follow local laws and customs.
DIKO leader Nikolas Papadopoulos backed the bill as necessary compliance with EU obligations. He accused ELAM of proposing measures that would keep problematic individuals in Cyprus longer.
DISY MP Nikos Sykas urged calm handling of migration issues and warned against populist rhetoric.
Other MPs raised concerns about past policies, cultural differences, and the need for stricter controls on arrivals.
Deputy Ministry welcomes new asylum seekers deportation law
The Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection welcomed Parliament’s approval of the amendment.
In an official statement, the Ministry explained that the new law strengthens Cyprus’s asylum framework and fully aligns national legislation with European standards.
The key change allows the Deputy Ministry to revoke subsidiary protection when the holder threatens public order or national security.
The Ministry confirmed it will soon submit further legislation to implement the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum. Until then, today’s law gives authorities effective tools to maintain public order and safety.
It thanked supportive parties, the Internal Affairs Committee, and the Legal Service for their cooperation, and reaffirmed commitment to a strict but rights-compliant migration policy.
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