An Italian Navy ship delivered 49 migrants to the Albanian port of Shengjin on Tuesday, marking the resumption of Rome’s controversial plan to process asylum claims in the Balkan nation, Al Jazeera reports.
This is Italy’s third attempt to implement the deal, following two previous failed transfers late last year.
The migrants were disembarked and are undergoing initial checks at a reception center in the port before being transported to the Gjader accommodation center, located some 14 miles east.
The agreement between Italy and Albania, forged in November 2023, allows for up to 3,000 migrants intercepted by the Italian coastguard in international waters each month to be housed and processed in Albania. This marks the first such deal by a European Union (EU) member to divert asylum seekers to a non-EU nation.
The controversial arrangement has faced significant legal challenges. In late 2023, Italian judges ruled against the detention of two small groups of migrants at the Albanian facilities, citing concerns about the safety of their home countries, which made repatriation potentially unsafe. Those migrants were subsequently returned to Italy. These cases have now been referred to the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
The ECJ is slated to review the legality of Italy’s plan in the coming weeks, specifically focusing on whether it adheres to EU law. The court has previously stated that fast-track procedures leading to repatriation are not permissible for asylum applicants whose home countries are not deemed safe.
Under the agreement, migrants whose asylum claims are approved will be accepted by Italy, while those whose claims are rejected will face deportation directly from Albania.
The deal is occurring amid a broader push by numerous EU member states towards stricter immigration policies, fueled by pressure from right-wing political factions. However, human rights organizations have strongly criticized the agreement and are questioning its compatibility with international law. Amnesty International has described the centers as a “cruel experiment [that] is a stain on the Italian government.”
Despite the legal and ethical challenges, Italy’s government is pressing ahead with the plan. The initiative comes as migrant arrivals to Italy have increased this year. So far in 2024, 3,704 migrants have reached Italy, more than double the 1,305 recorded during the same period last year. However, total arrivals in 2023 saw a significant decrease, with 66,317 migrants reaching Italy, a 58% drop compared to 2022.
