Asylum legislation changes – “Asylum seekers are 6% of the population”

A change is coming to the asylum legislation following a decision by the Government.

The Minister of the Interior, Nikos Nouris, was hosted on Radio Proto who said that many things will change. "The Legislation Commissioner has taken up the issue because the law regarding asylum favors time-consuming procedures and is a law that has become difficult to read and as a result creates problems."

He added that they considered that the legislation needed to be rewritten. "Despite the fact that our goal is to reach the establishment and establishment of a single European immigration and asylum, there are several difficulties to reach a common agreement as there is refusal from countries that do not want to participate in a migrant resettlement program." As he said, in 2022 the five frontline countries expect to receive 160.000 asylum seekers.

Asked about the proposal put forward by candidate Presidents for the creation of a Deputy Ministry of Immigration, he replied that it is a proposal he submitted to the Council of Ministers and was approved as Government policy. "A Deputy Ministry that will have executive capabilities will be beneficial in the matter of immigration management," he said.

The Commissioner for Legislation, Louiza Christodoulou Zannetou, was hosted at Mesimeri and Kati and said that the Council of Ministers has appointed her as the author of the new legislation. "It's a big challenge for me and I like these difficult projects as the offer will be of great importance to the state and citizens."

He added that this legislation covers a wide spectrum which will start with all the legislation of the European Union that must be observed and re-introduced into the text, as well as the Dublin Convention on refugees.

Ms. Zanettou stated that asylum seekers are 6% of the population according to the data of the Ministry. Interior. "The revision of the legislation is something very healthy and must be done. - Our legislation is from 2000".

He pointed out that the law needs revision and is written in a way where it causes discomfort to the user. As he said there is the example of Greece where it has a recent law. "We can draw ideas and guidance."

As explained by Ms. Zannetou, an asylum examination takes over a year, while the examination by the court follows. "In Cyprus there must be a categorization of applications. There are things that need to be done quickly."

He pointed out that "as a state if we act proactively and in time with the aim of reducing the examination of the application and there is a convergence of court procedures then immigrants will have second thoughts".

Ms. Zannetou clarified that the text is on 220 pages and every word must comply with the European directives. "It's a very difficult job and requires teamwork. I think I will be ready for a first presentation of the text in about a month."

He added that he must then go to the Legal Service for a check and then he will go to the Parliament. "The issue is not political. There is a legal need, and I don't think there will be a President who will say there is no need for a better law."

Finally, he mentioned that the NGO can offer support. "Government cooperation with NGOs is something that must be provided for in the legislation. How it will be done belongs to the competence of the Minister".