Local authorities must play a decisive role in the social integration of immigrants and refugees arriving in Cyprus, President of the Union Municipalities and Larnaca Mayor Andreas Vyras said on Monday.
In his address at a conference in Lefkara on intercultural integration at the local level in Cyprus, which was co-organised with the Council of Europe, Vyras said the topic was of immediate major concern “both due to the extremely increased flows of immigrants and refugees, and in view of the upcoming local government reform in Cyprus”.
“Cyprus, due to its geographical position, permanently welcomes immigrants and refugees who wish to enter European territory,” he said.
But integration is a difficult challenge, especially in a country that was still trying to recover from the economic crisis and the consequences of the pandemic, he said, adding that cultural differences, fear of the unknown and increasingly widespread hate speech were more elements that make the management of the issue even more complicated.
“We cannot forget that we are not dealing with numbers, but with human beings, most of whom have faced some kind of tragedy before ending up in Cyprus,” Vyras said.
“It is very often about people who are victims of exploitation, manipulation and motivations and this is a very serious issue that needs to be handled both at the international level and within a proper national legislative framework.”
Vyras said it was unacceptable to victimize such people and subject them to inhumane practices and procedures that deprive them of their human rights.
“Every person has an inalienable right to human dignity, regardless of race, religion, age, sexual orientation or social status,” he added.
Referring to what the local authorities should do, Vyras said they must play an important role in terms of social inclusion. Local authorities were always ready to offer help where there was a need as long as the state provided the corresponding resources, he said.
“The integration of immigrants is a key pillar for maintaining social cohesion,” the mayor concluded.
Maria Adamidou, director of the department of population and migration records, ministry of the interior, in her address, said the integration of immigrants was particularly important since it was a key pillar for maintaining social cohesion.
“Local communities have a key role to play in this process, and they cannot but be a key component of every effort made,” she said.
“They are the authorities that immigrants often turn to for help and guidance, and on the other hand, these people are their citizens, members of the local community, they live in the neighbourhoods of our municipalities and participate in the social life of the city and the community”.
That is why the existence of effective cross-cultural integration structures at the local level was so necessary, Adamidou added.
Also attending the conference were representatives from the UK, Italy and Poland who detailed their experiences in creating intercultural structures for integration at the local level.