Italy's Asylum Initiative with Albania Faces Renewed Challenges
Italy's ongoing effort to manage migrant asylum applications by relocating individuals to Albania, a non-EU country, has encountered significant obstacles, marking its third attempt since late 2023. This initiative aims to provide a temporary solution for migrants intercepted at sea while their applications are processed.
On a recent Tuesday morning, the Italian naval vessel Cassiopeia docked at the Albanian port of Shengjin, bringing with it 49 migrants who had been rescued from international waters near Lampedusa. This arrival follows two previous attempts in October and November that were met with legal challenges and ultimately failed.
Upon arrival, five migrants, including four minors and one individual identified as a victim of trafficking, were immediately returned to Italy for further processing. The remaining migrants, primarily from Bangladesh, Egypt, The Gambia, and Ivory Coast, were taken to a military facility in Gjader, Albania, where a center has been established for their accommodation during the asylum application process.
Recent developments indicate that the Italian Court of Appeal has denied asylum requests for 43 of the migrants, who now have a week to appeal the ruling. Only one individual's asylum claim was accepted, allowing for their return to Italy.
Despite these developments, the viability of the Italian government's plan to utilize Albania for housing migrants remains uncertain. In November 2023, Italy and Albania formalized an agreement that permits Italy to construct and operate two camps in Albania, allowing for the accommodation of male migrants for a maximum of four weeks. Under this agreement, Albania is expected to accommodate approximately 3,000 migrants at the Gjader camp at any one time, potentially totaling 36,000 over the course of a year.
Previous attempts to implement this scheme have faced setbacks. In October, 16 asylum seekers were returned to Italy shortly after their arrival in Albania, followed by a similar situation in November when a court mandated the return of seven migrants within 48 hours. A critical aspect of the agreement hinges on the classification of migrants' countries of origin as 'safe' for asylum processing, a designation that has been contested in Italian courts.
Legal experts have raised concerns regarding the classification of certain countries as safe, particularly for vulnerable groups such as political dissidents and LGBTQ+ individuals. The European Court of Justice is expected to issue a ruling on this matter on February 25, which could significantly impact the future of the Italy-Albania asylum scheme.
Supporters of the Gjader camp, including local officials, have expressed optimism about the potential economic benefits, as the camp has created jobs for residents in the surrounding area. However, the camp's operations have been inconsistent, with many workers receiving only partial wages due to a lack of migrants being housed there.
On the other hand, there is notable opposition to the agreement within Albania, with activists citing human rights violations. While there have been no recent protests related to the arrival of migrants, dissenting voices remain vigilant, and further demonstrations could occur pending the ruling from the European Court of Justice.
As Albania progresses in its EU membership negotiations, the implications of this agreement extend beyond immediate migration concerns. It reflects Albania's willingness to engage with international partners on complex issues, even those that do not directly impact its own population. The success or failure of the Italy-Albania asylum initiative may ultimately shape Albania's future relations with the EU and its approach to migration management.
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