Cyprus is sending Syrian migrants back to Lebanon. The UN is concerned but Cypriots say it’s lawful

The United Nations refugee agency said Friday it was "extremely concerned" over the return of more than 100 Syrian nationals from Cyprus to Lebanon without being screened to determine whether they need legal protection and who may be deported back to their war-wracked homeland.

The UNHCR office in Cyprus said deportations and transfers between states "without legal and procedural safeguards for persons who may be in need of international protection" are against international and European law.

Such transfers could result in people being sent back to a country where "they may face the risk of persecution, torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and other irreparable harm," the agency told the Associated Press.

The 109 migrants had all reached Cyprus aboard three separate boats between Jul. 29-Aug. 2 before being returned by boat under Cyprus...