UNHCR Office in Cyprus

The UNHCR Office in Cyprus works with the Government as well as with NGOs and other partners to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees and asylum-seekers. For more information about the services offered by UNHCR in Cyprus, see About UNHCR in Cyprus.

You can contact UNHCR for information and advice, or request an appointment with a UNHCR officer by phone or e-mail.

Address: 2 Demetracopoulou Street (corner Prodromou Street), Engomi, 1090 Nicosia
Telephone: 22 359043 or 22 359057
E-mail: cypni@unhcr.org
Website: www.unhcr.org.cy
Facebook: www.facebook.com/UNHCRCyprus
Twitter: https://twitter.com/UNHCRCyprus

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Government Services

Asylum

The Asylum Service of the Ministry of Interior is the competent authority to receive and examine asylum applications. Decisions of the Asylum Service not to grant asylum can be subject to appeals.

Address: 70 Arch. Makariou III Avenue, Afemia House, 1077 Nicosia
Telephone:  22 445245
E-mail:  info@asylum.moi.gov.cy
Website: http://www.moi.gov.cy/moi/asylum/asylumservice.nsf/

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District Immigration Police Offices

To make an application for asylum you will need to go to your local District Immigration Police Office.

For more information about procedures for seeking asylum in Cyprus, see our section on The Asylum Process.

District Immigration Police Offices are located as follows:

Nicosia
6 Agamemnonos Street, Engomi 2411
Tel: 22 802353

Larnaca
75 Piale Pasa, 6027 Makenzie Avenue
Tel: 24 804242

Limassol
223 Franklin Roosevelt, Zakaki, 2nd floor
Tel: 25 805200

Paphos
Corner Kaningos and Eleftheriou Venizelou, Nicolaou Court, 2nd floor
Tel: 26 806200

Dherynia
83 Eleftherias Street, Tatolos Building, 1st floor
Tel: 23 803289

Anti-trafficking

Cyprus Police – Office of Combating Trafficking in Human Beings

If you are the victim of human trafficking, or have information to report on a case of human trafficking, you are advised to report to this office of the Cyprus Police.

Telephone: 22 808063, 22 808573, 22 808552

For more information, click here.

Cyprus Stop Trafficking

Cyprus Stop Human Trafficking is an NGO that provides aid and assistance victims of human trafficking.

Telephone Hotline:         97 853767
Information Line:             22 771063 or 22 750108
E-mail:                                  cyprus.stop.trafficking@gmail.com
Website:                              www.cyprusstoptrafficking.webs.com  /  www.facebook.com/cyprus.stop.trafficking/

Wellspring Association

Wellspring Association in Limassol offers individual support for survivors of human trafficking, asylum seekers, refugees and women from otherwise vulnerable backgrounds.

For more information, visit their website: www.wellspringcyprus.com

Employment

The Republic of Cyprus Refugee Law provides that you can exercise your right to work after six months from the date you applied for asylum in Cyprus. To do so, you will need to register at your local District Labour Office. Click here for more information about your rights and duties as an asylum-seeker.

District Labour Offices are located as follows:

Nicosia
3 Mousiou Street
Tel: 22 403000

Paphos
Ayiou Spyridonos Street
Tel: 26 821658

Limassol
80 Franklin Roosevelt Avenue
Tel: 25 827350

Larnaca
Philios Tsigarides Street,
Tel: 24 805312

Polis Chrysochous
1 Arsinoes and Timohari Street
Tel: 26 322409

Dherynia
49 Acropoleos Street, Dherynia
Tel: 23 812052

Labour offices are also available in the following suburbs and villages:

Aglantzia, Lakatamia, Latsia, Ypsonas, Eastern Limassol, Agros, and Aradippou

Social Assistance

As an asylum-seeker you will be entitled to certain benefits, including material and accommodation assistance. For more information you will need to visit your local District Welfare Office. Click here for more information about your rights and duties as an asylum-seeker.

District Welfare Offices are located as follows:

Nicosia
66 Agiou Ilarionos, Kaimakli
Tel: 22 804600

Limassol
80 Franklin Roosevelt
Tel: 25 804535

Larnaca
23-25 Piliou
Tel: 24 800101

Paphos
28 Aristoteli Valaoriti & Kinira
Tel: 26 306240

Paralimni
134, 1st April Street
Tel: 23 811720

Evrychou
11 Griva Digeni
Tel: 22 870582

Independent Supervisory Bodies

The Ombudsman

Office of the Commissioner for Administration and Human Rights

The Ombudsman is an institution defending human rights, with multiple roles and responsibilities in relation to the preservation, protection and promotion of human rights in the Cypriot state and society.

You may contact the Commissioner if you believe:

• A public agency or a public officer handled a case of yours in an unjust manner or in contrast to the laws or to the principles of administrative law or has unjustifiably delayed to respond to your request.
• A public or private body has mistreated you because of your gender, race, ethnicity, the community you belong to, your language, colour, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, political or other beliefs.
• Any of your rights is violated (e.g. access to employment, education, health) due to disability

Any individual can submit a complaint to the Ombudsman, or complaints may also be submitted by any legal entity or organisation on behalf of the individual.

The Commissioner will decide whether any action or intervention on his/ her behalf is required, depending on the subject and the severity of your report.

Address: Era House, Diagorou 2, 1097 Nicosia
Tel: 22 405500 or 22405501
Fax: 22 672881
E-mail: ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.cy
Website: www.ombudsman.gov.cy

The Commissioner for Children’s Rights

The Commissioner for Children’s Rights is an independent institution which deals exclusively with the rights of the child and whose competences and obligations are prescribed by law.

The mission of the Commissioner is to protect and promote the rights of the child; her role is to represent children and their interests at all levels.

The Commissioner studies individual complaints with the aim of evaluating the existing legislation, policies, procedures and practices and deciding whether these violate the rights of the child. In such cases she proceeds with an intervention where she deems appropriate.

Address: pelli and Pavlou Nirvana Streets, 1496 Nicosia
Tel: 22 873200
Fax: 22 872365
Ε-mail: childcom@ccr.gov.cy
Website: www.childcom.org.cy

Independent Authority for the Investigation of Allegations and Complaints Against the Police

The Independent Authority for the Investigation of Allegations and Complaints Against the Police investigates allegations and signed complaints filed in writing

(a) by post

(b) personally at the offices of the Authority

(c) by fax to 22872413 d) via e-mail at iaiacap@iaiacap.gov.cy

(d) through the Authority’s website by completing the Complaint Form.

For more information:

Address: Σαχτούρη 14-16, Γρ. 302, 1080 Λευκωσία
Tel: 22 872412
Fax: 22 872413
Website: www.iaiacap.gov.cy
Email: iaiacap@iaiacap.gov.cy

The Cyprus Media Complaints Commission

The Cyprus Media Complaints Commission is an independent press council, responsible for the self-regulation of the news media, both written and electronic.

If you have read an offensive article or heard an offensive reportage in the media, you can submit a complaint either electronically, using  e-mail or via the website of the CMMC, or by writing to the CMMC. You do not need a lawyer in order to file a complaint, but if you feel you need the services of a lawyer you can make your complaint through one of your choice.

For more information:
Cyprus Media Complaints Commission, 12 RIK Avenue, 2120 Aglantzia, Nicosia
Tel: 22 427717
Fax: 22 427747
E-mail: deontologia@cytanet.com.cy
Website: www.cmcc.org.cy/home.html

Non-Governmental Organisations & Associations