Cyprus must find solutions to grant asylum seekers access to all state digital platforms, according to the Commissioner for Administration and Human Rights, Maria Stylianou-Lottides. Her comments followed a report highlighting significant barriers faced by asylum seekers attempting to register for government services.
The challenge stems primarily from stringent identification requirements that prevent these individuals from utilising essential services. An NGO alerted the ombudswoman’s office, revealing that asylum seekers are unable to use Citizen Service Centres or Cyprus Post citizen centres to verify their identity profiles, crucial for registration on the CY-Login government portal.
This digital exclusion severely limits asylum seekers’ access to basic rights, including the ability to secure employment. Without CY-Login access, they cannot register or renew their registration at labour offices, impacting their eligibility for vital benefits such as maternity, child, and sick leave allowances. Additionally, barriers arise when enrolling children in schools or participating in various subsidy schemes.
One asylum seeker reported significant financial difficulties because they could not complete work permit procedures due to a lack of CY-Login access. The Public Administration and Personnel Department director stated that to verify identity profiles at service centres, individuals are required to present Cypriot identity cards, EU registration certificates, or valid residence permits. Asylum seekers often lack valid residence permits, leaving them unable to access these services even when they present confirmation letters showing they have applied for international protection.
The situation has been ongoing, with representatives from the Public Administration and Personnel Department attending a meeting in October 2022 to discuss the handling of such cases. Unfortunately, no updates or further instructions have been received since that time. The IT services deputy director indicated that identity verification during the asylum application process is thorough; however, initial applications frequently lack official documents, complicating matters further.
Asylum seekers are currently unable to be verified on CY-Login because they do not meet the necessary criteria. The deputy director suggested that alternative channels, such as in-person visits to relevant ministries and departments, should be employed. This sentiment was echoed by the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, which oversees digital service development. However, the responsibility for decisions regarding alternative service channels rests with the relevant ministries and departments.
Some progress has been made, as reported by the NGO. The Social Insurance Services have agreed to accept paper applications from asylum seekers lacking CY-Login access for maternity and sick leave benefits. Similarly, the Labour Department has made arrangements to facilitate registration for asylum seekers without residence permits. However, the ongoing limitations of CY-Login remain a barrier.
Communication from the CY-Login Support Team confirmed that asylum applicants cannot utilise the platform due to service policies. This situation leaves asylum seekers in a bind, unable to complete necessary procedures that now predominantly require digital means. The ombudswoman remarked that this digital exclusion creates delays in addressing basic matters, impeding access to rights and resulting in administrative difficulties, often forcing these individuals to rely on third parties.
Despite acknowledging the complexities surrounding the verification of asylum seekers’ identities, the ombudswoman argued that these challenges should not justify depriving them of access to public services. The shift towards digital services must not overlook those who cannot provide the required identity documents, creating an indirect yet significant exclusion.
In her statement, she advocated for the implementation of solutions that would allow asylum seekers to access all state platforms, regardless of their possession of physical residence permits. The need for collaboration among public services and relevant bodies is essential to ensure effective and comprehensive management of this issue while maintaining necessary security and reliability standards.
As the landscape of public administration continues its rapid digital transformation, the call for alternative access routes becomes increasingly urgent. Addressing the needs of asylum seekers is paramount to ensure their integration, access to education, and participation in the labour market.
