Italy’s government is intensifying efforts to relocate migrants to Albania for asylum processing after an initial legal setback. Recently, an Italian Navy ship brought eight migrants to Shengjin, as officials assess their eligibility for entry into Italy. This controversial strategy, known as the ‘Albania model,’ has sparked debates and conflicts with the judiciary. Prime Minister Meloni’s administration aims to curb irregular migration, despite facing potential legal challenges and criticisms regarding the separation of powers and costs involved.
Italy’s government is making a renewed effort to send migrants to Albania, aiming for their asylum applications to be processed there after an initial court defeat. This contentious issue is likely to return to the judiciary for further scrutiny.
Following an unsuccessful court ruling, Italy has once again begun transporting refugees to Albania, intending for their asylum claims to be evaluated in camps beyond EU borders. Recently, an Italian Navy vessel arrived at the port of Shengjin carrying eight migrants hailing from Egypt and Bangladesh. Authorities are now determining whether these individuals can enter Italy or if they should be returned to their countries of origin.
Pioneering Asylum Camps Beyond EU Borders
Italy stands as the first EU nation to create asylum camps outside its borders, a move that has drawn the attention of other European governments. The approach, referred to as the ‘Albania model,’ is spearheaded by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration and has sparked significant debate within Italy. The ongoing situation has resulted in a fierce conflict between the government and the judiciary, with Italy’s national audit office also investigating the financial implications of this initiative.
The naval ship ‘Libra’ recently rescued the men from a refugee boat that had embarked from Africa, originally aiming for the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa—a key point in the migration journey to Europe. The limited number of eight migrants is attributed to Italian officials’ cautious selection of adult males from designated ‘safe countries of origin.’
Despite the challenges, the Meloni government remains committed to its strategy of outsourcing asylum processes.
Strained Relations Between Government and Judiciary
The first attempt by the Meloni administration to implement this plan faltered last month when a total of 16 men from Egypt and Bangladesh were ultimately brought back to Italy. A Roman court ruled that neither Albania nor Italy could be deemed a safe country of origin, marking a significant setback for Meloni. In response, the government issued a revised decree listing 19 purportedly safer countries, which included Egypt and Bangladesh once more.
Potential Legal Setbacks for Meloni
Doubts loom over whether Meloni’s latest efforts will prevail in court. Italian judges have previously cited a ruling from the European Court of Justice (ECJ), which states that a country can only be classified as a safe country of origin if it poses no risk of persecution. Legal experts anticipate that this new initiative will also face judicial scrutiny, and if it fails again, it would represent an even greater setback for Meloni.
As the EU summit approaches, discussions surrounding asylum policies are intensifying.
Meloni’s Goals to Curb Irregular Migration
Italy has long been a focal point for migration across the Mediterranean. Although there has been a notable decrease, over 50,000 individuals have arrived on Italian shores this year after perilous journeys, with some tragically losing their lives. Meloni ascended to power two years ago with the right-wing party Fratelli d’Italia, pledging to reduce irregular immigration significantly. After her initial legal defeat, she accused the judiciary of overstepping its bounds, with Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini labeling the judges as ‘communists.’
The opposition is increasingly concerned about the risk to the separation of powers, while left-leaning parties and human rights advocates are criticizing the exorbitant costs associated with the process, reportedly amounting to 20,000 euros per refugee.
This topic was reported by BR24 on November 8, 2024, at 09:15 AM.