Return - IOM Publications - International Organization for Migration

Return Migration: Policies and Practices
The Director of the Department of Social Welfare is the Patron of Victims of Exploitation, as
provided by Article 10 of the Law. The Patron of Victims of Exploitation has the duty to hear and
consult the trafficked and exploited victims, take measures for the investigation of the cases
reported to him/her as well as the prosecution of the offenders, etc.
Expulsions and deportations are either ordered by the Refugee Authority in case of failed asylum
seekers, or for any other alien by the Chief of the Immigration Office, which falls under the
competence of the Ministry of Interior. The Chief Immigration Officer (Minister of Interior) has
delegated his power to order detention and deportation to the Director of the Civil Registry and
Migration Department.
Deportations are executed by the Immigration Unit of the police, which arrests, detains and
deports unlawful migrants.
Escorts
Deportees are only escorted to their destination by the police where the captain of the carrier
requests it.
No stamp or other indication is placed in the passport of the deported person, and no statement
is required of the deportee that he/she will not attempt to re-enter the country.
Chartered Flights
No information available on the use of chartered flights.
Framework Agreements with Countries of Origin or Transit
The Cypriot Minister of Interior stated during a Ministerial Meeting of the Justice and Home
Affairs Ministers of the Candidate Countries at the EU Council of Ministers that he was in
favour of a:
multilateral framework of action to promote Cooperation in the field of asylum and protection, as
well as in relation to preventive measures against illegal immigration and also supports a parallel
framework of bilateral cooperation with EU Member States and other Candidate Countries with
the same aim. 10
On 2 December 2003, Cyprus signed a cooperation agreement with Bulgaria to fight terrorism,
organized crime, illegal migration and human and drug trafficking.
In August 2002, Italy and Cyprus concluded a bilateral agreement to combat illegal immigration.
This was the first readmission agreement with an EU Member State. The agreement also provides
for the repatriation of irregular immigrants. Cyprus and Italy also cooperate closely in the
framework of the Adriatic Initiative to combat illegal immigration. An agreement with Sweden
was signed shortly afterwards.
Cyprus also signed an interim agreement with Syria to cooperate in countering irregular migration
to Cyprus from Syria, in 1999. According to the agreement, only Syrian business people,
qualified professionals, student or tourists, who can prove sufficient financial means are allowed
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