Parliamentary debate on immigration related problems
A comprehensive report prepared by the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee recorded the prejudice, racism and xenophobia against the rising number of migrants in Cyprus, where debates were focused on the high number of migrants compared to Cypriot population. In the plenary session that followed in July 2010, stakeholders highlighted the problems resulting from the increasing influx of migrants. Local authorities referred to the housing problem of the migrants and the unfit and unsafe premises rented to them, noting that a holistic approach is required to meet the pressing housing needs of migrants, as measures currently under way to shut unfit premises will cause other problems; that groups of intoxicated migrants frequent the tourist areas which impacts negatively on tourism; that local authorities are not adequately equipped to address the problems resulting from immigration; that the complaints received on a daily basis indicate high levels of prejudice and xenophobia against migrants; there is lack of coordination between the various governmental departments and lack of cooperation from the police due to the negative stand of the latter towards migrants. The Ministry of Education reported that during school year 2008-2009 the number of non-Greek speaking pupils rose to 8,157. The Ministry of Health representatives referred to the compiled unpaid hospital bills of migrants. The immigration department said there are 68,900 third country nationals in Cyprus (incl. 52,000 workers and 7,000 students) plus 25,000- 30,000 undocumented. The police said that groups of quarrelling migrants in parks have fuelled ‘park-phobia’ amongst locals, referring also to the high numbers of migrants involved in crime and in road accidents. Social Welfare told the House that whilst in 2008 the total amount of benefits paid to asylum seekers monthly was €1 million, in 2009 this rose to €1,5 million. An average of 1,200 asylum seekers per month benefited from these funds. The House recommended that the state supports local authorities to introduce integration programs and draft legislation regulating prosecution for unlawful change of use of premises for the purpose of renting these to migrants; that the police extends awareness raising activities to migrants regarding road safety; that the Welfare Services examine the possibility of introducing food coupons for asylum seekers so as to reduce the grants paid to them; that procedures of coordination amongst the various department are introduced for the holistic handling of the problems resulting from immigration.
