The MAREM project: Cyprus Akylai Abdraimova, Verena Jenter, Juliana Witkowski Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP “ASYLUM SEEKERS AND RELATED POLICIES IN SOUTHERN COUNTRIES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION” 3 rd - 4 th of July Introduction 2.Research Question 3.State of the Art 4.Data 5.Research Results 6.Conclusions 7.References

2 1.Introduction Basic information: ● Independence from British colonial rule in 1960 ● (1964-) 1974 partition of the island into North (Turkish Cypriot) and South (Greek Cypriot) parts ● In 2003 the Turkish Cypriot administration lifted (partially) the ban on freedom of movement, the ceasfire line (referred as “green line”) opened ● 1st of May 2004 – Republic of Cyprus joined the EU (but not in the Schengen area) Key data: Population: (0,2% EU); in the Republic of Cyprus Area: km² Unemployment Rate: 16,4% (April 2014)

3 Politics: Head of Government: Nicos Anastasiades (Democratic Rally of Cyprus) Three largest parties: Democratic Rally of Cyprus (20 Seats), Progressive Party of Working People (19 Seats), DIKO (9 Seats) Migration Policy: Aliens and Immigration Law of 2009 Refugee Law of 2000 Migration History: Greek Cypriot refugees from the occupied areas since 1960 Influx of working migrants at the end of 1980’s and in the 90’s from eastern European countries and the former Soviet Union Constant flow of third country nationals (female domestic workers, students). Asylum System fully implemented in 2004 “Economic Citizenship” 1.Introduction

4 Absolute number of asylum seekers: 2651, new:1250 in 2013 Relative number of asylum seekers: 0,3% Main Citizenships of asylum seekers: Syria, Egypt, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Pakistan Refugees: 3883 Reception Center in Kofinou Detention Center in Menoyia

5 2.Research Question How do A&R related collective actors and stakeholders approach their work?

6 3.State of the Art ? ● Research gap: A&R related organizations and their networks in Cyprus

7 4.Data Field Study in March 2014: 5 Expert interviews with A&R-related organizations: FWC (Future Worlds Center), KISA (Greek: Equality, Support, Antiracism), Volunteer Doctors of Cyprus, Red Cross Cyprus, Caritas 3 Expert interviews with Scientific organizations: CARDET (Center for the Advancement of Research and Development in Educational Technology), CUT (Cyprus University of Technology), MIGS (Mediterranen Institute of Gender Studies) 3 narrative interviews with refugees: two refugees from Eritrea, one refugee from Cameroon All in all: 8 expert interviews, 3 narrative interviews Press Conference in Nicosia „Syrian Refugees“

8 Characteristics Actor types Norms/values (religious, political, human rights etc.) Dominant issue (only on A&R or multiple) Field of legitimation (local, regional, national, EU, global Internal/balanced/ external logics (members, resources) Political decision makers Political: (re)election Multiple issues National, European Balanced Official-executive actors Enforcement of the Law Multiple issues NationalBalanced A&R-related NGOs (KISA & FWC) Human rightsSingle issue / multiple issue National, European Balanced Scientific organizations (e.g. CARDET) Objectivity, neutrality, awareness Multiple issues National, European, global External 5.Research Results

9 Future Worlds Center Non-profit organisation with multiple isssues, founded in 1992 Project „Strengthenig Asylum“, founded in 2006 by UNHCR Field of activity: Legal aid, social advice, psychological support, awareness raising Cooperation with other actors – NGOs and the Ombudsman Office – is crucial Cooperation with governmental authorities – „It‘s more like a relationship.“ (Member FWC) FWC does not see any serious obstacles in their work.

10 KISA Non-profit organization, founded in 1998 Focus on: migration, asylum, racism, discrimination and trafficking Fields of activity: raising awareness, lobbying, providing free information, support, advocacy and mediation services (Migrant and Refugee Center ); promotion of integration, empowerment and self-organization of migrants and refugees Networks and cooperation: PICUM, ENAR, Ombudsman Office, Commissioner for Children‘s Rights, EU Bodies (FRA, ECRI, GRETA). Obstacles: tendency of the government to criminalize KISA, weak support from society and government „The Cypriot society is very party-dominated; NGOs which aren‘t affiliated to any party struggle for survival.“ (Member of KISA) „Mainstream structure or powers of the country consider NGOs as a threat and an instrument of external powers.“ (Member of KISA) 5.Research Results

11 CARDET Independent research and development center with a wide range of topics, founded in 2004 Fields of activity:Research and Evaluation, e-learning Development and Evaluation, Learning Strategic Planning, Organizational Assessment & Capacity Building, Civil Society & Development Education, Social Justice and Reconciliation Pedagogies Network: more than 100 projects in ca. 30 countries Tasks: developing tools for policy makers and strategies for the concept of integration 5.Research Results „Cyprus doesn’t have a clear integration policy […] If migrants come to Cyprus, they know it’s just for four years, so most of them don’t see a sense in making efforts to integrate themselves.” (Member of Cardet)

12 Structure and dynamics of collective actors in the field of A&R: Researchers see their task in developing mechanisms to track, support and measure the implementations of laws. "We use a combination of tools: We do research, we do training, we organize conferences, seminars and we do a lot lobbying advocacy for policy change." (Member of scientific organization C005). NGOs follow a different approach depending on their principles and goals: 5.Research Results KISA FWC RC Caritas “KISA tries to pressurize the authority to implement laws concerning migration, refuge and asylum”. (Member of KISA) FWC “takes care that they [asylum seekers and refugees] have a fair access to information about their rights and to the asylum procedure”. (Member of FWC) “We bring the people (to the NGOs), because they trust us! But they give the expertise and the person is helped in a professional way - but also in a way that is comforting to the person.” (Member of Caritas) Governmental structures and affiliated organizations: Orthodox Church UNHCR Ombudsman Office Ministry of Internal Affairs Migration Department, Asylum Service, Welfare & Labor Office, Police

13 5.Research Results NGOs‘ and researchers‘ perspective on policy decision makers and official executive actors: Policy decision makers: “Cyprus doesn’t have a clear integration policy”. (Member of scientific organization C002). “Political leaders and other people in charge pretend to care but if there need to be actions, they don’t do anything”. (Member of scientific organization C008). Migration Department: “The authorities of the migration department want to keep the borders as closed as possible and the decisions to deport people are made very quickly.[…] It's one of the most negative departments towards migrants!” (Member of NGO C011) Welfare Service: “The welfare benefits for refugees and asylum seekers were cut down on a minimum[…]So many applicants are dependent on the help of NGOs like Caritas and the Red Cross” (Member of NGO C011).

14 6.Conclusion Context of Cyprus: former colonizations and devision  Attitude towards foreigners Policy decision makers and official executive actors act respectively. The greek orthodox church plays a key role in conveying this perception. „The poor or non-existing willingness to fully accept migrants, refugees and asylum seekers also draws from the fact that the Republic of Cyprus is a small country which has the feeling of being permanently under threat by foreign powers like the Turks, British …”. (Member of NGO C001) NGOs took over the responsibilities for A&R NGOs share the same objectives, but their strategies and approaches differ. Strengthening the cooperation between NGO’s is needed due to lack of capacities, but recent positive change in communication and coordination among NGOs can be observed. No cooperation with NGOs in the Turkish part, but UNHCR has a mediator role.

15 Interviews collected in March Bitoulas, Alexandros (2013): Asylum applications and first instance decisions on asylum applications: third quarter 2013, online: QA EN.PDF, checked Cyprus Profile (2014): Government and Politics, online: information/politics, checked UNHCR ( ) Asylum levels and trends in industrialized countries, , online: words=Trends, checked Statistical Service of Cyprus (2013): Cyprus in Figures 2013, online: g_id=2737&cc=CY_CYPRUS, checked Pictures: References

16 Thank you very much for your attention!