Politis

Foreign Nationals - Cyprus's Difficult Challenge

Published January 20, 2026, 05:15
Foreign Nationals - Cyprus's Difficult Challenge

The discussion about foreign nationals involved in criminal or illegal activities in Cyprus has resurfaced, with the risk of degenerating into populism or silence. The newspaper emphasizes that Cyprus, as a rule of law state, cannot discriminate and that anyone committing an offense must be held accountable, regardless of their nationality. Equality before the law is fundamental to social cohesion. The newspaper criticizes the President's statement regarding the arrest and deportation of foreign nationals who break the law, considering it problematic as it violates the principle of individual examination of each case. At the same time, it acknowledges that Cyprus is facing increased migratory pressure, which exceeds its capabilities, resulting in delays in asylum procedures and inadequate supervision. However, the newspaper rejects the idea of collective guilt and the rhetoric of fear. It stresses that the punishment of illegality must be done with transparency and consistency, without political interference, and with full respect for human rights. Deportation should be the result of legal procedures and not an arbitrary decision. The real challenge for Cyprus is the prevention of illegality, through integration policies, language learning, labor market control, and support for local communities. Security is not built only with police patrols, but with institutions that function effectively. The lack of these policies creates environments where crime can flourish. In conclusion, the newspaper calls for calm, law, and consistency, rejecting tolerance of crime and the targeting of people based on origin. Only in this way can security and democracy in Cyprus be protected simultaneously.