Italy Resumes Migrant Transfers to Albania Detention Centres

Italy has restarted its controversial migrant relocation policy, transferring 49 migrants to detention centres in Albania on Sunday. This marks the first transfer since November, following a series of legal and humanitarian challenges. The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, aims to ease the strain on Italy's migrant reception system by sending asylum seekers to facilities in Albania. However, the plan has sparked debate and raised concerns about its compliance with European and international laws.



The Italian navy vessel Cassiopea, carrying the migrants, was expected to reach the Albanian port of Shengjin on Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, another 53 migrants presented their passports upon arrival, allowing them to remain in Italy while their cases are reviewed. The Interior Ministry stated that these individuals would undergo a fast-track procedure if their nationality is confirmed, as they are deemed ineligible to apply for asylum in the European Union.

Italy's migrant relocation policy has faced numerous hurdles, with Italian courts previously halting transfers and the European Court of Justice weighing in on the matter. Human rights organisations have also raised concerns about the conditions in Albanian detention centres and the potential for human rights violations. The agreement between Italy and Albania has been criticised for prioritising convenience over compassion and sidestepping the root issues behind Europe's migration crisis.

The Italian government has earmarked €650 million ($675 million) over five years to run the centres, with the opening of the detention centres delayed by more than three months. The agreement provides for the concession of two state-owned areas in Albania for establishing three facilities under Italian jurisdiction. One centre in Shengjin is intended exclusively for health screening procedures, identification, and collection of asylum applications. Another centre in Gjadër is for the examination of applications for international protection, with a maximum capacity of 880 people. The third centre in Gjadër is a removal centre with 144 places.

Italy is responsible for maintaining security in the granted area and managing the facilities, expenses, and services, with Italian law applying to the granted territory and Italian police personnel present. Albania is responsible for maintaining security in the external perimeter of the selected areas and could enter the centres in emergencies.

The agreement has raised significant concerns over potential human rights violations, particularly regarding legal defence and the right to asylum. Right of defence: hearings will be held entirely at a distance with the Court of Rome, and lawyers will only be able to travel to Albania with a €500.00 reimbursement if the remote connection is not functioning. Moreover, it is not clear how an Italian defence counsel will be identified by migrants held in detention. Right of asylum: the competent authorities will be the Prefecture, the Questura, and the Territorial Commission of Rome. Those offices are notoriously already overburdened and will now be in charge of judging applications coming from Albania in the extremely compressed time (28 days) envisioned for accelerated procedures.

The Italy-Albania migrant transfer agreement has the potential to ease the strain on Italy's migrant reception system, but it also raises serious concerns about the protection of migrants' rights and the compliance of the agreement with international and European Union laws. As the transfers resume, the spotlight is firmly on Italy's handling of the situation and the broader implications for European migration policies. The success of this approach will depend on the Italian government's ability to address the legal and humanitarian challenges that have plagued the agreement since its inception.