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Cyprus Unveils Voluntary Repatriation Scheme for Syrian Asylum Seekers
The Cypriot government has announced a new voluntary repatriation programme aimed at encouraging Syrian asylum seekers to return to their homeland with financial support, while allowing one family member to remain in Cyprus temporarily for work.
Deputy Minister for Migration Nicholas Ioannides unveiled the scheme this week, stating that eligible Syrians who withdraw their asylum applications or renounce their international protection status by 31 December 2024 will qualify for the programme.
Under the plan, families opting to return to Syria will receive a one-time payment of €2,000 for one adult and an additional €1,000 per child. Childless couples are also eligible. Applications will be accepted from 2 June to 31 August.
To ease economic concerns about reintegration in Syria, the main breadwinner in each family — either the father or mother — will be granted a special residency and work permit in Cyprus. The permit will allow them to stay and work on the island for a minimum of two years, and up to three years. Holders of this permit will also be able to travel freely between Cyprus and Syria during this period.
“This new programme is a targeted, humanitarian, and realistic policy that bolsters Syria’s post-war transition to normality,” Ioannides said. He noted that many Syrians have expressed interest in returning home but are hesitant due to uncertainty about employment opportunities in Syria.
The head of Cyprus’ Asylum Service, Andreas Georgiades, said the initiative aims to provide returning families with some financial stability during their transition. Syrians currently represent the largest group of asylum seekers in Cyprus, with 4,226 applications filed in 2023—nearly ten times more than any other nationality.
Ioannides also cited the 2009 search and rescue agreement between Cyprus and Syria, which he said permits the return of Syrian migrants arriving by sea. He confirmed that two boats carrying 30 migrants each were recently turned back in accordance with this agreement.
Cyprus has come under criticism from the UN refugee agency and the Council of Europe over alleged pushbacks of asylum seekers, claims which the Cypriot government firmly denies.
Officials say the new repatriation scheme is designed to provide a humane and structured solution to Cyprus’ growing migration pressures while supporting post-conflict rebuilding efforts in Syria.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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