Italian Navy Ship Carrying Migrants Docks in Albania
On Friday, an Italian navy ship carrying a small group of migrants arrived in an Albanian port, marking Rome’s attempt to process asylum seekers abroad after facing legal challenges. The ship docked before 8 a.m., with only eight migrants rescued near the island of Lampedusa dispatched on Wednesday.
European Union’s First Project to Divert Migrants
Italy has established two reception centres in Albania as part of the EU’s first project to divert migrants to a non-EU country. These facilities in Shengjin and Gjader are operated by Italian personnel. Under the agreement with Tirana, Albania can host up to 3,000 migrants at any given time.
Challenges and Legal Hurdles
Italy initially sent a group of 16 migrants to Albania last month, but they were all returned within days. A Rome court ruled that the migrants could not be held in Albania due to concerns about their legal status. The recent arrival of the new group of asylum-seekers raises questions about the effectiveness of the relocation plan.
Diversity of Migrant Origins
While the military did not disclose the origins of the new group of asylum-seekers, Italian newspapers suggested a possible focus on Tunisians due to the stability of their country compared to others. The first group of migrants came from Egypt and Bangladesh, classified by Italy as safe countries for rapid repatriation.
Legal Concerns and Repatriation
However, Rome judges raised doubts about Italy’s classification of certain countries as safe for repatriation. The European Court of Justice’s recent ruling emphasized that a country outside the EU cannot be declared safe unless its entire territory is deemed free of danger. As a result, the migrants were brought back to Italy for processing in unguarded centres for asylum seekers.
Conclusion
The docking of an Italian navy ship carrying migrants in Albania highlights the complexities and legal challenges of processing asylum seekers abroad. Italy’s efforts to divert migrants to non-EU countries face obstacles, raising questions about the effectiveness of such relocation initiatives.
FAQs
What countries are classified as safe for rapid repatriation by Italy?
Italy has classified countries like Egypt and Bangladesh as safe for rapid repatriation of migrants.
How many migrants can Albania host under the agreement with Italy?
Under the agreement with Italy, Albania can host up to 3,000 migrants at any given time.