UNHCR Cyprus together with the Office of the Ombudsman and the University of Cyprus hosted an event on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to discuss racism and xenophobia and the impact on refugees and asylum-seekers in Cyprus.
On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, March 21, UNHCR Cyprus together with the Office of the Ombudsman and the University of Cyprus hosted the event “Refugees and Us: Promoting Social Inclusion” to discuss racism and xenophobia and the impact on refugees and asylum-seekers in Cyprus. The findings of UNHCR’s latest opinion poll on the perceptions of Cypriots about refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants were also presented as a springboard for discussion on society-wide ways to address and respond to these phenomena in Cyprus. The opinion poll was conducted at the end of 2022 by the University Center for Field Studies of the University of Cyprus, on behalf of the UNHCR in Cyprus. The speech of a young refugee, graduate of the University of Cyprus, moved the audience.
In his welcoming remarks, the Rector of the University of Cyprus, Professor Tasos Christofides underscored the longstanding partnership with UNHCR in promoting, through several activities, a culture of understanding and inclusion through education, research and open dialogue. “Regardless of the reasons that force people to move, migrants and displaced people represent some of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups and are often exposed to abuse and exploitation. They have limited access to basic services, including health care, and face xenophobic attacks and stigmatisation fuelled by misinformation,” he said.
The Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Education of the University of Cyprus, Professor Antonis Ellinas, emphasized that the management of such a complex phenomenon as migration and asylum requires an interdisciplinary approach involving sciences such as psychology, sociology, pedagogy, political science and law.
The Representative of UNHCR in Cyprus, Katja Saha referred to the importance of introducing a comprehensive integration plan that will benefit both the refugees themselves and the local society. “UNHCR remains hopeful that the National Integration Strategy that has been pending for over two years, will now be adopted by the new government.”
In explaining the importance of a positive public opinion in the refugee integration process, she said: “The first step towards integration is the creation of a welcoming society, without discrimination, xenophobia and racism. Without understanding that refugees are a resource when integrated, rather than considering them a long-term burden, integration programs are likely to fail.”
In her keynote speech, the Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights, Maria Lottidou spoke about her office’s interventions towards the social inclusion of refugees and emphasized the imperative for a continued fight against racial discrimination.
“The full inclusion and acceptance in Cypriot society remains a challenge… It is essential that we continue to actively engage in awareness campaigns and events that allow all citizens to be informed about asylum and migration, and to find out how they can contribute to the integration process.”
The results of Perceptions of Cypriots about Refugees, Asylum-seekers and Migrants, a study that was undertaken by the University Center for Field Studies of the University of Cyprus (UCFS), for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Cyprus were presented. The survey aimed to identify perceptions and attitudes towards refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants, and discern trends or shifts in public opinion from the last comparable survey conducted for UNHCR in 2018.
The findings of the new opinion poll showed a diminished public support towards refugee integration compared to the 2018 poll, with most of the respondents believing that refugees and asylum-seekers are not beneficial to the local economy or culture. Notable was also the increased concerns about demographic changes, and criminality and violence that the participants in the survey believe are caused by refugees and asylum-seekers.
The Director of the University Center for Field Studies (UCFS) and President of the Psychology Department, University of Cyprus, Professor of Social and Developmental Psychology, Dr. Charis Psaltis, in presenting the study further said that several misconceptions regarding asylum-seekers and refugees are prevalent, such as in relation to the numbers of refugees and asylum-seekers currently living in Cyprus, on the public allowances as well as funding sources.
The findings showed a charitable approach among the Cypriot public in supporting refugees through donations, rather than a human rights-based approach that grants asylum to refugees and enables their integration in society.
“There is an immense need to include integration in the public and political debate as an important parameter in the comprehensive management of the asylum and migration issue overall. UNHCR together with other stakeholders, can build on the positive attitudes depicted in the study,” Dr. Psaltis concluded.
A presentation was delivered by Lieutenant Elena Panayiotou, on how hate crimes are addressed by the Cyprus Police. The procedure on investigating cases with racial motive was explained as well as the actions that the Police takes in preventing and combating discrimination, such as training of the Police Force, data collection and distribution of information leaflets and handbooks. In concluding Lieutenant Elena Panayiotou pledged that the Police will continue and further intensify its actions in preventing and effectively investigating discrimination offences.
Regional Human Mobility Adviser of UNDP, Oxana Maciuca, presented online on the topic, “Social cohesion – a key element to reap the developmental benefits of migration.” Jakhongir Khaydarov, Head of Office, UNDP Cyprus said “Peaceful coexistence is a priority for UNDP in delivering sustainable peace and common development goals and tackling discrimination.”
Edith Britney Ade, 23, a young refugee from Cameroon who graduated last year from the University of Cyprus shared her own experiences from the time she came to Cyprus as a little girl until today. “Let’s not forget, behind every faceless number there is an actual person,” she said. She underscored that, “the language we choose to use in our everyday lives, makes us part of the problem” and reminded us that “we have to be able to check our internal racial biases.”
She expressed her thanks to all who have helped her in Cyprus: “Me and my family would not have been here if it wasn’t for the people who helped us along the way. Their acts of kindness that may have seemed small for them it really meant the world to us; from the nurses at Makarios hospital who helped my mum when she was giving birth to my two younger siblings, to our sixth-grade teacher that we will never forget, to the people at UNHCR Cyprus. I thank you.”
But she also spoke about the white privilege that she believes prevails in society: “the truth is that I do not have the same privileges as most of you, in this room. Because where I was born, and the colour of my skin already puts me in a disbenefit… It is a constant fight about human equity, having equal opportunity and equal consideration…Racism is an overall spectrum and might seem opaque, but identifying the problem is just the tip of the iceberg; how it started, where we currently are makes it easier to mold the future.”
See below for the full report, an executive summary and a power point presentation:
Click here to download the full report.
Click here to view the Executive Summary of the report in English.
Click here to view the Executive Summary of the report in Greek.
Click here to view the PowerPoint presentation with key findings from the survey.
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