Source: http://www.globaldetentionproject.org/countries/europe/cyprus
Timestamp: 2016-06-01 03:29:12
Document Index: 130945246

Matched Legal Cases: ['§14', '§16', '§17', '§18', '§19', 'application No. 14872']

Cyprus Immigration Detention Profile | Global Detention Project
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Cyprus Immigration Detention For many years, Cyprus used prisons and police stations to detain migrants and asylum seekers. After years of criticism from NGOs and regional rights bodies like the Council of Europe, Cyprus opened its first specialised immigration detention facility in 2013. However, reports indicate the country continues to make use of police cells. There have also been repeated criticisms of the treatment of detainees at the specialised facility. Cyprus Quick Facts
Persons expelled : 4,605 International migrants: 207,300 New asylum applications : 2,892 Main Country TabProfile
Cyprus Immigration Detention Profile Profile Updated: March 2009 Detention PolicyDetention InfrastructureReferencesThe Republic of Cyprus receives the highest number of asylum applicants per capita of all industrialized countries, which during the period 2003-2007 numbered 39 asylum seekers per 1,000 inhabitants (UNHCR 2008). This distinction is due to a number of factors, including: Cyprus’ small population (nearly 800,000); location on the external border of Europe; proximity to both the Middle East and Africa; and the island’s division between the Cypriot government-controlled southern area and the Turkish controlled north, which is demarcated by a non-secure boundary called the Green Line (Council of Europe 2008). In 2007, the Republic of Cyprus was estimated to have between 10,000-60,000 undocumented foreign workers (Symfiliosi 2007); it had over 13,000 asylum seekers as of 2005 (UNHCR 2005).
Detention PolicyAccording to the Cypriot non-governmental organization Symfiliosi, “There are three different categories of people detained on immigration-related ‘offences’: those detained for a few days until their removal is arranged; those whose removal presents various difficulties (e.g. non-disclosure of their country of origin, or their country of origin is unwilling to accept them); and third country nationals who had initially been declared ‘illegal’ and who subsequently applied for international protection” (Symfiliosi 2007). According to the Cypriot Ombudsman’s office, people who file asylum claims after entering Cyprus illegally are subject to detention, as are immigrants who, after failing to renew a residence permit, claim asylum (Demetriadou 2009).
Detention InfrastructureCyprus uses at least nine facilities for detaining migrants, all but two of which are located in police stations. The seven police station facilities are located in Aradippou, Lakatamia, Larnaca, Limassol, Orokline, Paphos, and Paralimni (Demetriadou 2009; Council of Europe 2008). There are also detention facilities located inside the Larnaca International Airport and in a separately run section of the Nicosia Central Prison (Demetriadou 2009). Although the Nicosia facility, called Block 9 and 10, is located within the prison, it is operated separately by the Police (Demetriadou 2009). All immigration detention sites are operated by the Police, which is a part of the Ministry of Justice and Public Order (Demetriadou 2009). A 2008 report by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe highlighted a number of problems that have been reported at Cypriot detention sites, including excessively long detention periods for rejected asylum seekers, the poor state of repair of many sites, inadequate training of guards, and allegations of mistreatment (Council of Europe 2008).
ReferencesCouncil of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. 2008. Report by Thomas Hammerberg, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Following Visit to the Republic of Cyprus on 7-10 July 2008. Council of Europe. 12 December 2008.
European Parliament. 2007. The conditions in centres for third country national (detention camps, open centres as well as transit centres and
transit zones) with a particular focus on provisions and facilities for persons with special needs in the 25 EU member states. European Parliament, Directorate-General Internal Policies, Policy Department C, Citizens Rights and Constitutional Affairs. Contract Ref: IP/C/LIBE/IC/2006-181. December 2007.
Symfiliosi. 2007. "Cyprus." In Civil Society Report on Administrative Detention of Asylum Seekers and Irregular Migrants in Europe: Common Position of JRS in Europe. Edited by the Jesuit Refugee Services - Europe. December 2007.http://www.jrseurope.org/publications/Final%20Report%2010%20NMS%20Dec%2007.pdf (accessed April 2008).
Centre Name City and region Country Status Aradippou Police Station Detention Centre Aradippou Cyprus In use (2011) Block 9 and 10 (Nicosia Central Prison) Nicosia Cyprus Closed (or ceased migrant detention operations) (2013) Drosia Police Station (formerly Famagusta Police Directory) Cyprus In use (2011) Lakatamia Police Station Detention Centre Nicosia Cyprus In use (2013) Larnaca Central Police Station Detention Centre Larnaca Cyprus In use (2011) Larnaca International Airport Detention centre Larnaca International Airport Cyprus In use (2011) Limassol Police Station Detention centre Limassol Cyprus In use (2011) Menoyia (Menogeia) Immigration Detention Centre Menogeia (Larnaca Distrcit) Cyprus In use (2015) Oroklini Police Station Detention Centre Orokline Cyprus In use (2011) Paphos Police Station Detention Centre Paphos Cyprus In use (2011) Paralimni Police Station Detention Centre Paralimni Cyprus In use (2011) Add Detention Center
StatisticsA. Detention, expulsion, and incarceration statistic Number of apprehensions of non-citizens 2 more observations Sources
NumberObservation Year 4,9802014 Loading Source ... 7,0152013 Loading Source ... 7,8402012 Loading Source ... Number of persons expelled (voluntary returns and deportations) 3 more observations Sources
Number Observation Year 2,9902014 Loading Source ... 4,0252013 Loading Source ... 4,3702012 Loading Source ... 4,6052011 Loading Source ... Percentage of persons removed in relation to total number of people placed in removal procedures
Percentage Observation Year 84.802014 Loading Source ... Loading Source ... Criminal prison population 1 more observations Sources
NumberObservation Year 6812014 Loading Source ... 9302012 Loading Source ... Percentage of foreign prisoners 1 more observations Sources
Percentage Observation Year 47.702014 Loading Source ... 52.902012 Loading Source ... Prison population rate (per 100,000 of national population) 1 more observations Sources
NumberObservation Year 80.002014 Loading Source ... 108.002012 Loading Source ... B. Demographics and immigration-related statistics Population 1 more observations Sources
NumberObservation Year 1,165,0002015 Loading Source ... 1,100,0002012 Loading Source ... International migrants 1 more observations Sources
NumberObservation Year 192,2002015 Loading Source ... 207,3002013 Loading Source ... International migrants as a percentage of the population 1 more observations Sources
PercentageObservation Year 16.802015 Loading Source ... 18.202013 Loading Source ... Refugees 1 more observations Sources
NumberObservation Year 5,7632015 Loading Source ... 3,8832014 Loading Source ... Ratio of refugees per 1000 inhabitants 1 more observations Sources
NumberObservation Year 4.402014 Loading Source ... 3.292012 Loading Source ... Total number of new asylum applications 1 more observations Sources
NumberObservation Year 1,6432014 Loading Source ... 2,8922012 Loading Source ... Refugee recognition rate
NumberObservation Year 4.102014 Loading Source ... Stateless persons
NumberObservation Year 02015 Loading Source ... Domestic LawA. Legal Tradition
Grounds for IncarcerationMaximum Number of Days of IncarcerationObservation Year Unauthorised stay1,8252014 Loading Source ... Loading Source ... Unauthorized entry1,8252014 Loading Source ... Loading Source ... E. Length Of Detention
F. Procedural Standards Provision of basic procedural standards
NameIn LawIn PracticeObservation Year Right to legal counselNo2013 Loading Source ... G. Non-Custodial Measures (Alternatives To Detention) Types of non-custodial measures adopted 4 more observations Sources
NameIn LawIn PracticeObservation Year Designated non-secure housingNoNo2014 Loading Source ... Electronic monitoringNoNo2014 Loading Source ... Registration (deposit of documents)NoNo2014 Loading Source ... Release on bailNoNo2014 Loading Source ... Supervised release and/or reportingNoNo2014 Loading Source ... H. Vulnerable Persons Is the detention of vulnerable persons provided in law? Are they detained in practice?
NameIn LawIn PracticeObservation Year Unaccompanied minorsProvidedYes2013 Loading Source ... I. Mandatory Detention
NameRatification Year CRPD, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2011 Loading Source ... OPCAT, Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment2009 Loading Source ... CTOCSP, Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime2003 Loading Source ... CTOCTP, Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children2003 Loading Source ... ICCPR, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights1992 Loading Source ... CAT, Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment1991 Loading Source ... CRC, Convention on the Rights of the Child1991 Loading Source ... CEDAW, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women1985 Loading Source ... VCCR, Vienna Convention on Consular Relations1976 Loading Source ... ICESCR, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights1969 Loading Source ... PCRSR, Protocol to the Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees1968 Loading Source ... ICERD, International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination1967 Loading Source ... CRSR, Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees1963 Loading Source ... Ratio of Relevant International13/16 Individual complaints procedure 4 more observations Sources
NameAcceptance Year CRPD, Optional Protocol to o the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities2011 Loading Source ... CEDAW, Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, 19992002 Loading Source ... CAT, declaration under article 22 of the Convention 1993 Loading Source ... ICERD, declaration under article 14 of the Convention1993 Loading Source ... ICCPR, First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 19661992 Loading Source ... Ratio of complaints procedures accepted
Number 5/7 Loading Source ... Relevant recommendations issued by treaty bodies NameRecommendation ExcerptRecommendation Year Committee against Torture§14 [..] amend the Refugee Law and the Law on Provision of Legal Aid in order to guarantee access to independent, qualified and free-of-charge legal assistance for asylum seekers during the entire asylum procedure, at first instance level and during the judicial review, as well as for undocumented immigrants, including unaccompanied minors, in addition to the appointment of a guardian, in order to challenge the lawfulness and duration of their deportation and detention orders.
§16 [...] ensure that persons in need of international protection, including those fleeing indiscriminate violence, are not detained or, if at all, only as a measure of last resort, after alternatives to detention have been duly examined and exhausted and for as short a period as possible. The State party should also refrain from applying the Aliens and Immigration Law to asylum seekers.
§17 [...] (a) Repeal the legal provisions that criminalize irregular entry and/or stay, and list in the legislation alternative measures to administrative detention, such as reporting requirements or sureties; (b) Establish and apply guidelines to examine the necessity and proportionality of the detention and prohibit detention when there are no prospects for the immigrant of being removed within a reasonable time; (c) Apply detention only as a last resort, after alternative measures to
administrative detention have been duly examined and exhausted, when necessary and proportionate and for as short a period as possible, which should never exceed the absolute time limit for the administrative detention of undocumented immigrants, including in cases of repeated detention; (d) Ensure that the release letter provides for a temporary residence permit for immigrants pending the regularization of their status, so that they do not enter the detention cycle; (e) Ensure prompt and regular review by a court of the detention of undocumented migrants.
§18[..] The Committee urges the State party to ensure that the legal regime at Menoyia detention centre is suitable for its purpose and that it differs from the regime of penal detention. The complaints committee should vigilantly pursue each complaint and immediately transmit allegations of ill-treatment to the Office of the Attorney-General for further investigation. Solitary confinement should remain a measure of last resort, imposed for as short a time as possible, under strict supervision and judicial review.
§19 [...] The State party should ensure that unaccompanied children and families with children are not detained except as a measure of last resort and, in the latter case, after alternatives to detention have been duly examined and exhausted and in the best interest of the child, and for as short a period as possible. The right of children not to be forcibly separated from their parents should be respected, no matter what the age of the child. The State party in such instances should refrain from detaining unaccompanied children and families with children if there are no suitable places to host them.
2014 Loading Source ... 2. Regional treaties, regulations, and directives Regional legal instruments
NameYear of Ratification (Treaty) / Transposed (Directive) / Adoption (Regulation) Return Directive2011 Loading Source ... Regional judicial decisions on individual complaints
NameDecision DetailsDecision Year European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR)M.A vs Cyprus, application No. 14872/102013 3. Bilateral/multilateral agreements linked to readmission (RAD)
AgencyMinistryMinistry TypologyObservation Date PoliceJustice2011 Source1edit Source2edit PolicePoliceJustice2011 Source1edit Entity TypeEntity NameObservation Year GovernmentalPolicr2015 Source1edit GovernmentalPolice2011 Source1edit Immigration detention centre (Administrative)Immigration field office (Administrative)Transit centre (Administrative)Reception centre (Administrative)Offshore detention centre (Administrative)Hospital (Administrative)Border guard (Administrative)Police station (Criminal)National penitentiary (Criminal)Local prison (Criminal)Juvenile detention centre (Criminal)Informal camp (Ad hoc)Immigration detention centre (Ad hoc)Surge facility (Ad hoc) C. Detention monitoring institutions
Instituition TypeInstituitionObservation Year National Human Rights Institution (or Ombudsperson) (NHRI)Commissioner for Administration and Human Rights2016 Source1edit OPCAT National Preventive Mechanism (NPM)Commissioner for Administration and Human Rights2016 Source1edit International or Regional Bodies (IRBs)European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT)2013 Source1edit Is the NHRI recognized as independent by the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions? Observation Year No2016 Source1edit Does NHRI have capacity to receive complaints?Observation Date Yes2016 Source1edit Which international and/or regional bodies (IRB) regularly visit immigration-related detention facilities?Observation Year Yes2013 Source1edit Do IRBs publicly report their findings from detention inspections?Observation Year Yes2014 Source1edit D. Outsourcing and privatisation
Gross Domestic Product per capita (in USD)Gross Domestic Product per capita (in USD)Observation Date 26352Jan-2012 gdpsource1622 27194Jan-2014 gdpsource1622 Remittances to the countryRemittances to the countryObservation Date 152Jan-2011 gdpsource1631 91Jan-2014 gdpsource111042 Remittances from the countryRemittances from the countryObservation Date 404Jan-2010 gdpsource1631 valueobservation_dategdpsource1gdpsource2gdpsource3status 15.6201411047 Human Development Index Ranking (UNDP)Human Development Index Ranking (UNDP)Observation Date 32Very highJan-2015 gdpsource1522 Country Links
Ministry of the Interior, http://moi.gov.cy/
Ministry of Justice and Public Order, http://www.mjpo.gov.cy/
Office of the Commissioner for Administration (Ombudsman), http://www.ombudsman.gov.cy/
UNHCR - Country Information - Cyprus, http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e48dba6.html
Friends of Cyprus, http://www.peace-cyprus.org/FOC/
Greek Refugee Council, http://www.gcr.gr/
KISA, http://kisa.org.cy/
Cyprus Mail, http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/
In-Cyprus, http://in-cyprus.com/