Decisions confirmed by administrative court
The Administrative Court of International Protection has upheld the Asylum Service’s decisions to reject multiple Syrian nationals’ requests for international protection and approve their return to Syria. The Law Office described the rulings, issued on 29 January, as “extremely significant,” marking a key milestone in forced returns.
Immediate execution of deportation orders
The rulings allow the Republic’s authorities to execute deportation and/or return orders for Syrians residing illegally in Cyprus. Following changes in Syria’s status, the Asylum Service reviewed pending applications and rejected those applicants who no longer met the requirements under the Refugee Law and the Geneva Convention.
Court validates asylum service assessment
Applicants challenged the Asylum Service’s decisions. The Administrative Court examined each case and ruled that the rejections were lawful and reasonable. It found that the claims did not meet the subjective or objective criteria for persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group, or political beliefs.
The Court agreed with the Asylum Service that the applicants would not face a serious and personal threat to life or physical integrity in their home regions, and that their claims reflected economic migration or unreliable allegations of persecution. Specifically, incidents in Idlib were deemed isolated, not frequent or intense enough to indicate indiscriminate violence from international or internal armed conflict.
Thorough investigation supports rulings
The Court noted that the Asylum Service conducted a thorough review of official sources regarding security, reconstruction efforts, support for returnees, and the humanitarian situation in Syria. The Court’s own updated investigation confirmed the Service’s findings, providing no reason to diverge from the authorities’ conclusions.
Also read: Cyprus migration policy: deportation for offenders
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