Activists call for measures to stop forced deportations to Syria

Syrian human rights defenders have called on the European Union to help stop the increase in violence against Syrian refugees in Cyprus and Lebanon, including forced deportation.

"The triangle between Lebanon, Syria and Cyprus has catalysed the Syrian refugee catastrophe. We know for sure that many of those who were forced to return to Syria ended up in detention on arrival, or were recruited by the government for military service, with some ending up serving in the Russian army," said Sawsan Abou Zainedine, CEO of the Madaniya association, in an interview with Euronews in Brussels.

Zainedine and other human rights activists and lawyers recently met with senior officials and members of EU governments to discuss the increase in violence by the authorities hosting Syrian refugees, which has been documented by the United Nations and various non-governmental organisations.

Increased instability in Lebanon, which hosts 1.5 of the 6 million Syrian refugees, has led many Syrians to try to reach Cyprus, the nearest EU country, by crossing the Mediterranean Sea. In response, Cyprus has suspended the processing of applications since April.

In reaction to the Human Rights Watch report, the Cyprus Ministry of Migration and International Protection issued a statement in which it denied having carried out so-called pushbacks such as sending Syrian asylum seekers back to Lebanon.

The government added that Cyprus is a "small frontline country" that "has received massive flows of migrants in recent years".

In May the European Commission approved €1 billion in financial aid for Lebanon, aimed at border management and support for refugees.

Human Rights Watch criticises the EU executive for offering financial support without adequate means to