In a significant development for Italy’s migration policy, dozens of migrants left Albania in Italian custody on Saturday following a ruling by judges in Rome that dealt a blow to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s controversial third-country migration centers. An Italian vessel carrying 43 migrants set sail from the Albanian port of Shengjin just after midday, marking a pivotal moment in a scheme that has faced mounting legal challenges.
The migrants had arrived in Albania earlier in the week, part of a program that had been paused for months. While some were promptly sent back, a substantial number remained. On Friday, Rome’s Court of Appeals referred the case to the European Court of Justice (ECJ), compelling the transfer of the 43 migrants to Italy.
Meloni’s initiative to outsource migrant processing to Albania and expedite the repatriation of unsuccessful asylum seekers has attracted attention from other European nations. However, it has faced staunch criticism from human rights groups and opposition parties within Italy, and has been thwarted by legal obstacles. The ECJ is currently reviewing questions raised by various Italian courts regarding the legality of the plan.
The migrants in question were intercepted by Italian authorities while attempting to cross the Mediterranean, with most originating from Bangladesh, alongside six Egyptians, one individual from Ivory Coast, and another from Gambia.
In November 2023, Meloni signed an agreement with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama to establish two Italian-operated centers in Albania, which became operational in October. However, after judicial rulings against the detention of the initial groups transferred to these centers, the migrants were instead sent back to Italy.
Italian law designates certain “safe countries” from which asylum applications can be fast-tracked, but judges have ruled that entire countries—not just parts—can be classified as safe. This has led to a reduction in Italy’s list of safe countries from 22 to 19, with the government asserting that all regions of these nations are secure.
The ongoing legal saga continues, with judges recently blocking a second transfer of migrants while awaiting further clarification from the ECJ, which has provisionally scheduled a hearing for February. As Italy grapples with its migration policies amid legal scrutiny, the situation remains fluid and closely watched across Europe.
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