Asylum Law 2000 L. 6(I)/2000, last amended in 2009 (Cyprus)

*Provision 3C can be used in a procedure to obtain the status of refugee in Cyprus, for a woman or a gild who has either undergone FGM, or is in fear of undergoing FGM if returned to their country of origin. Provision 3C of the said Law describes the criteria under which persecution can be inferred.

Asylum Provisions

Definition of 'refugee' in asylum law

*Cyprus law definition of Refugee is a translation of the 1951 Convention definition in Greek: "the term “refugees” shall apply to persons who owing to well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, are outside their country of nationality and are unable or, owing to such fear, are unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of their former habitual residence as a result of such events, are unable or, owing to such fear, are unwilling to return to it.”

Definition of 'particular social group' and type(s) of persecution addressed

*A “particular social group” is defined under provision 3D(1)d(I) as a group comprising persons of similar background, habits or social status.

Number of asylum cases requested on the ground of FGM

Number of asylum cases granted on the ground of FGM

Reported or suspected FGM cases registered with authorities

The police does not keep specific records on FGM