Urgent actions are needed to strengthen migration management, including upgrading reception center infrastructure, streamlining asylum application reviews, providing legal support, securing borders while respecting human rights, preventing exploitation like sham marriages, improving living conditions in reception centers, and fighting crime and prosecuting migrant trafficking. The House interior committee highlighted the necessity for the government to take immediate and effective actions in response to the ongoing migration challenges, emphasizing structured political action and comprehensive planning as essential.
What urgent actions are needed to improve migration management?
To improve migration management, urgent actions include:
1. Upgrading infrastructure for reception centers.
2. Streamlining the review process for asylum applications.
3. Providing adequate legal support and integration for asylum seekers.
4. Securing borders effectively while upholding human rights.
5. Preventing exploitation practices like sham marriages.
6. Enhancing the living conditions in reception centers.
7. Tackling crime and prosecuting migrant trafficking.
Addressing the Migration Influx
The House interior committee has recently underscored the necessity for the government to take immediate and effective actions to better handle the ongoing migration challenges. The release of a meticulously prepared report shed light on the situation, pressing for a combination of structured political action and comprehensive planning.
Akel MP Aristos Damianou, the committee’s chairman, emphasized that the government should prioritize upgrading the infrastructure pertaining to reception centers and accommodations for those seeking asylum. Moreover, he highlighted the critical need for a swift, legal, and efficient process for reviewing asylum applications.
Streamlining Asylum Processes
Damianou acknowledged the government’s efforts to expedite the processing of asylum applications. However, he pointed out observable shortcomings in meeting the designated timelines. To enhance the process and subsequent appeals, the government is urged to delineate the responsibilities of the relevant immigration services clearly and promote better inter-departmental communication.
These improvements are expected to not only hasten the asylum application process but also ameliorate the living conditions of asylum seekers, striking a crucial balance between efficiency and humanity.
Legal Support and Integration Measures
An additional concern Damianou raised pertains to the access of unaccompanied minors and other asylum seekers to adequate legal representation. The government is encouraged to adopt measures that prevent exploitation of applicants while their cases are under review.
For individuals whose applications are not successful, Damianou called for a structured and efficient process for their return. Conversely, for those granted asylum, the focus should shift to structured inclusion policies that facilitate their assimilation into Cypriot society.
Securing Borders and Upholding Human Rights
The phenomenon of migrants arriving through the northern part of Cyprus has been labeled as imperative to address. The government has been urged to take comprehensive measures rather than fragmented steps to manage this situation effectively.
In 2021, measures such as the installation of barbed wire were implemented, which, while intended to control migration, inadvertently affected the residents near the Green Line by restricting their freedom of movement and use of property. It is crucial that any measures taken do not infringe upon the rights of the citizens.
Furthermore, the government is called upon to maintain transparent communication with the European Union concerning migration trends, proposed interventions, and related challenges. This commitment to continuous dialogue is seen as vital for upholding Cyprus’ European and international obligations while safeguarding the rights of both citizens and migrants.
Preventing Exploitation and Ensuring Safety
Issues such as sham marriages, a tactic sometimes used to obtain residency rights, were also addressed, with a call for stricter enforcement of the current laws. Additionally, it was recognized that while progress has been made, there is still room for improvement in preventing such exploitative practices.
The living conditions in the reception centers are another focal point, with an emphasis on ensuring that they provide a humane and dignified environment for residents. The government is encouraged to enhance these facilities and ensure that healthcare professionals have clear access to them.
Lastly, tackling crime around reception centers is of paramount importance, and an action plan to combat and reduce criminal activities in these areas has been called for. Alongside this, there is a need to intensify efforts to identify and prosecute those involved in migrant trafficking within Cyprus.
What urgent actions are needed to improve migration management?
To improve migration management, urgent actions include:
1. Upgrading infrastructure for reception centers.
2. Streamlining the review process for asylum applications.
3. Providing adequate legal support and integration for asylum seekers.
4. Securing borders effectively while upholding human rights.
5. Preventing exploitation practices like sham marriages.
6. Enhancing the living conditions in reception centers.
7. Tackling crime and prosecuting migrant trafficking.
How is the government addressing the migration influx?
The government is urged to take immediate and effective actions to better handle the ongoing migration challenges. This includes prioritizing upgrading infrastructure for reception centers and accommodations for asylum seekers, as well as implementing a swift, legal, and efficient process for reviewing asylum applications.
What measures are being taken to streamline asylum processes?
Efforts are being made to expedite the processing of asylum applications and improve the appeals process. Clear delineation of responsibilities within immigration services and better inter-departmental communication are being promoted to enhance efficiency and humanity in the asylum process.
How is the government securing borders while upholding human rights?
The government is called upon to take comprehensive measures to manage migration effectively while respecting human rights. It is crucial that any border security measures do not infringe upon the rights of citizens. Transparent communication with the European Union is also emphasized to uphold Cyprus’ international obligations.
