Cyprus saw a notable 22% drop in new asylum appeals in 2024, according to recent figures. This decrease suggests a potential shift in the number of individuals seeking to challenge initial rejections of their asylum applications within the country. However, despite this overall downturn in appeal filings, the data reveals a stark reality for those who do appeal: the vast majority of these challenges prove unsuccessful, with the Legal Service reporting a mere 1.38% success rate. This low figure underscores the significant hurdles faced by asylum seekers attempting to overturn negative decisions.
Cyprus saw a decline in new appeals in 2024, but a sharp rise in cases from high-risk nations.
Concurrently, authorities have been increasingly active in immigration enforcement. The data indicates a rise in the number of detention and deportation orders issued, signaling a stronger push to remove individuals deemed to be in the country without legal basis or whose asylum claims have been exhausted. This intensification of enforcement is further highlighted by a significant jump in the number of habeas corpus petitions filed. These legal actions, where individuals challenge the legality of their detention, suggest that more people are contesting their confinement by immigration authorities.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the number of pending cases awaiting resolution within the asylum and immigration system has also increased. This growing backlog means that many individuals are left in limbo, waiting for decisions on their appeals or the outcomes of other legal challenges. The combination of fewer new appeals but a rising number of unresolved cases, coupled with increased enforcement and legal challenges to detention, paints a picture of an evolving and potentially strained immigration landscape in Cyprus.