The Republic of Cyprus has been found guilty by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) for intercepting two Syrian refugees at sea (pushback) without reviewing their asylum applications. The two refugees were returned to Lebanon.

According to the ECHR ruling, case no. 39090/20 involved the interception of Syrian nationals at sea by Cypriot authorities and their immediate return to Lebanon. The two Syrians had already spent four years in a refugee camp after fleeing Syria due to the civil war.

The Deputy Ministry of Migration indirectly points to former Interior Minister Nicos Nouris regarding the ECHR decision, stating that "the events referred to occurred in 2020." 

The Deputy Ministry also stated, "We will study the decision and investigate the circumstances surrounding this case." Furthermore, the ministry emphasized, "It is noted that under the current Government, the patrols of the Marine and Port Police are conducted in accordance with international and European law, always with respect for human life. This is confirmed by the fact that since these patrols began, there have been no search and rescue incidents involving migrants."

AKEL MP Aristos Damianou posted that this issue will be discussed in the Parliamentary Committee on Interior Affairs.