Authorities with the Greek Cypriot administration pushed back 200 migrants and refugees arriving from Lebanon aboard boats earlier this month, ignoring their claims for asylum while in some instances using violence and coercive tactics, a human rights watchdog said on Tuesday.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused the Greek Cypriot administration's marine police officers of beating some migrants and making threats. The group said coast guard vessels attempted to swamp migrant boats by circling them at high speed and abandoned at least one boat at sea without food or fuel.
The watchdog said the accusations come from interviews with 15 Lebanese and Syrian nationals who tried to reach Greek Cyprus – a member of the European Union – after setting sail aboard seven boats from Tripoli, Lebanon between Aug. 29 and Sept. 7.
According to HRW, witnesses and victims on two boats that returned to Lebanon said that Greek Cypriot marine police handcuffed and beat individuals who resisted being returned.
The watchdog quoted one Lebanese national identified only by his first name who accused the police of using a cattle prod on him aboard a boat on Sept. 6 after he shouted at them to rescue a couple who jumped overboard.
The watchdog urged Greek Cypriot judicial authorities to carry out an investigation into the allegations and prosecute anyone found to have committed any wrongdoing.
It said the European Commission should get Cyprus to respect the right of migrants to seek asylum and to not return people to a place where their safety and freedom may be at risk.
"People who risk their lives and their children’s lives by fleeing Lebanon by boat do so when they are truly desperate," HRW official Bill Frelick said. "They have a right to have their claims for international protection considered."
Greek Cypriot officials did not immediately return calls for comment on the report.
The Greek Cypriot administration has said the ethnically split island nation is willing to offer safe haven to refugees but has reached its limits in accepting "economic migrants." Interior Minister Nicos Nouris said earlier this month that the government is coordinating with Lebanese authorities to take back migrants arriving from that country in line with international law.
