UNHCR Cyprus has raised concerns over a reported “pushback incident on March 14 involving three boats carrying approximately 80 Syrian nationals, including women and children, who had departed from Syria and reached Cyprus.”
“These boats were reportedly pushed back by Cypriot authorities, as a result of which the Syrian nationals were forcibly returned to Syria, from where they had fled,” the UN refugee agency said.
The UNHCR renewed its call for states to refrain from pushbacks and summary returns of individuals without legal and procedural safeguards. “Such measures are incompatible with states’ non-refoulement obligations and are contrary to international law,” it stated.
The agency added that “all law enforcement operations, including those related to maritime movements, must be conducted in compliance with international law, including refugee and human rights law and must not result in situations that violate the prohibition of refoulement.”
“The international legal principle of non-refoulement prohibits all states, including those that may not be party to relevant treaties, from engaging in conduct of any kind that risks leading to the removal of a person to a place where they would be at risk of persecution or serious human rights violations.
“Denial of access to territory or any other removal measures without a prior individual assessment of possible risks of refoulement is also contrary to the principle of non-refoulement,” it added.
The agency urged states to allow civilians fleeing Syria access to their territories, guarantee the right to seek asylum and always uphold the principle of non-refoulement.
It also reiterated its call for states not to forcibly return Syrians and former habitual residents of Syria to any part of the country.
“Syria has witnessed major changes and many, including UNHCR, see an opportunity for recovery. However, the security situation remains fluid, and some Syrians feel unsafe to stay,” it added.
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