European Court Condemns Cyprus for Violating Refugee Rights
The European Court of Human Rights has delivered a significant ruling against Cyprus for its handling of two Syrian refugees who were intercepted at sea and returned to Lebanon without a proper examination of their asylum claims. This case highlights critical issues surrounding asylum procedures, human rights, and the treatment of refugees in Europe.
The two Syrian men, originally from Idlib, fled their war-torn country in 2016, seeking safety in Lebanon's refugee camps. In September 2020, they attempted to reach Cyprus with a group of migrants but were intercepted by Cypriot authorities and forcibly returned to Lebanon, raising serious concerns about their safety and legal rights.
The court's ruling, issued on October 9, 2024, established that Cyprus violated several articles of the European Convention on Human Rights. Specifically, the court found breaches of Article 3, which prohibits inhuman or degrading treatment, Article 4 of Protocol No. 4 against collective expulsion of aliens, and Article 13, which ensures the right to an effective remedy. The judges emphasized that the Cypriot authorities failed to assess the risks associated with returning the refugees to Lebanon, including their access to asylum procedures and the potential for refoulement to Syria, where they could face persecution.
As a consequence of these violations, Cyprus has been ordered to pay each applicant €22,000 in non-moral damages and €4,700 collectively for legal costs. This ruling underscores the importance of adhering to international laws regarding the treatment of refugees and the obligation of states to carefully consider individual asylum claims.
