Italy's Controversial Migrant Deal with Albania Begins as First Group Intercepted

October 14, 2024

In a controversial move, the Italian navy has begun intercepting migrants at sea under a new agreement with Albania. This pact, signed by Italy’s far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has already seen its first group of migrants transported to Albania for asylum processing. On Monday, a navy ship set sail with irregular migrants onboard, although the Italian Interior Ministry did not disclose the exact number of individuals involved.

The initial group consists solely of men who were attempting to cross the Mediterranean from Africa to Europe. Women, children, and men exhibiting health issues or signs of torture were instead taken to the southern Italian island of Lampedusa for further screening. Those identified as suitable for the agreement—men from nations deemed safe—will be taken to Schëngjin in Albania for a more in-depth assessment of their asylum claims. They will then be housed at a former Albanian air force site in Gjadër while their applications are processed.

As part of the deal, three facilities were recently established in Albania: one for 880 asylum seekers, a pre-deportation center with 144 spots, and a small prison with a capacity of 20. The agreement, which has been criticized by human rights organizations for breaching international law, received tacit support from the EU and was formalized in November last year. The pact will cost Italy approximately €670 million over five years, with Italian authorities managing the facilities and Albanian guards providing external security.

The asylum processing timeline is set to be expedited, with Meloni promising that decisions will be made within 28 days, a stark contrast to the lengthy procedures currently experienced in Italy. However, the revised list of countries considered “safe” for asylum applications has expanded from 15 to 21, including Bangladesh, Egypt, and Tunisia, suggesting that many requests are likely to be rejected. Critics have raised concerns about the treatment of migrants and the long-term implications of such policies. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also expressed interest in the pact, facing criticism from human rights advocates for pledging financial support for Italy’s migration policies.

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