Investigation reveals instances of violence, forced signing of documents by Cyprus against migrants

Internal Frontex documents, obtained through the FOI, reveal instances of violence and forced signing of documents by #Cyprus authorities against people on the move, which may violate the prohibition of inhumane and degrading treatment, Border Violence Monitoring Network (BVMN) said in a series of tweets.

The internal Frontex documents, BVMN said include a Serious Incident Report (SIR) regarding an incident in July 2023 and a Mission Report from a Fundamental Rights Office Monitor (FROM), who visited the island in December 2023.

” The SIR from July 2023 describes a PoM reporting an informal, coerced interrogation where he was slapped on the head and neck and forced to sign a statement claiming he departed from #Lebanon, not #Syria, as he initially stated.

” The interrogation was conducted by four unidentified individuals without badges or uniforms, inside the First Reception Center “Pournara” after working hours, in a usually unused container.”

BVMN said both the SIR and the FROM Report state that the FRO has received similar accounts of ill-treatment, coerced interviews, police violence, and forced signing of declarations by #Cyprus authorities from various stakeholders.

” We are concerned about these reports, especially in the wake of increased efforts by the Cyprus government to return Syrians to unsafe conditions, as seen with the EU-Lebanon deal that aims to increase “voluntary” returns and Cyprus’ attempts to declare parts of Syria safe.”