Italy's New Migration Strategy: Cooperation with Albania Sparks Controversy
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's ambitious migration policy is beginning to take shape with the support of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama. On October 14, following their previous agreement, the first group of 16 migrants—10 Egyptians and 6 Bangladeshis—rescued by Italian authorities at sea were set to be transported to Albania aboard the Italian naval vessel Libra. Upon disembarkation, scheduled for the following Wednesday, these individuals will be detained in specialized facilities designed for processing their asylum claims under Italian law.
With Meloni's administration promoting the initiative as a deterrent against irregular migration, concerns about the legal and logistical feasibility of the project continue to surface. The agreement, while straightforward in its aspirations, poses significant challenges in implementation. It specifically pertains to migrants rescued in international waters by Italian vessels, with provisions excluding those deemed vulnerable, such as women, minors, individuals suffering from mental health issues, and victims of torture or human trafficking, who are to be sent directly to Italy.
Once the migrants arrive, their identification will take place at a facility in Shengjin, followed by a transfer to a secure administrative detention center in Gjader, which can accommodate up to 880 individuals. A new videoconferencing system will facilitate the asylum process, linking the Albanian detention centers to courts in Rome, allowing judges to oversee hearings remotely. Asylum seekers will similarly be able to consult with their lawyers through this technology, with decisions expected within a 28-day timeframe.
As Meloni's migration strategy gains traction among European partners, Berlin has shown interest in adopting the Albanian model while London’s Labour government considers it a more effective and less costly alternative to the previously abandoned agreement with Rwanda, which had already incurred substantial costs. France is also monitoring the developments keenly.
Nevertheless, multiple uncertainties linger regarding the scheme. Amnesty International has raised serious concerns, highlighting potential conflicts with the obligation to disembark rescued individuals at the nearest safe port, a lack of clear criteria for identifying vulnerable migrants, and the potential jeopardization of procedural guarantees due to the remote processing of asylum requests. Matteo Villa, an expert on migration at the Institute for International Policy Studies in Milan, notes that Meloni's collaboration with Albania may lead to a logistical nightmare that fails to meet Rome's objectives.
Amidst an increasingly polarized international political climate regarding migration and asylum rights, Meloni's project represents a significant pivot in Italy's approach, as the government seeks innovative solutions to complex challenges. The outcome of this endeavor remains to be seen as scrutiny continues from both domestic and international stakeholders.
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