Italy has begun transferring its first group of migrants to Albania, a move that has drawn both criticism and praise. This controversial programme aims to process thousands of asylum-seekers outside Italy’s borders, raising fears among human rights groups about the dangerous precedent it could set. On Monday, Italy’s Interior Ministry confirmed the departure of the first group of migrants, a symbolic step in the country’s latest strategy to address the growing migration crisis.
Naval Transfer from Lampedusa
The Italian government sent a naval ship from the island of Lampedusa, carrying 16 men – 10 from Bangladesh and 6 from Egypt. These individuals had been rescued from the Mediterranean Sea after attempting to cross from Libya, one of the key departure points for migrants headed to Europe. According to officials, the ship is expected to arrive in Albania by Wednesday morning, marking the first phase of Italy’s new migration agreement with the country.
The deal is part of a broader effort by Italy’s far-right government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, to reduce the number of asylum seekers entering Italy. The government has stated that this approach will provide a more effective way to process migrants intercepted at sea, while relieving some of the pressure on Italy’s overburdened asylum system.
Albania to Host New Processing Centres
The new migration processing centres in Albania, officially opened on Friday, have been described by Meloni as a critical step forward in managing Europe’s migration crisis. These centres, which will initially accommodate up to 400 male migrants, are designed to handle asylum applications for those intercepted in international waters while attempting to reach Europe. Italian authorities anticipate that the capacity of these centres will increase to 880 migrants in the coming weeks.
Italy has clarified that vulnerable groups, including women, children, the elderly, and those who are ill or have been victims of torture, will continue to be processed and housed in Italy. The government has emphasised that families will not be separated under this new arrangement. Nevertheless, human rights organisations have expressed concerns that this strategy could lead to the further externalisation of Europe’s migration responsibilities, potentially exposing migrants to unsafe conditions outside the EU.
Human Rights Groups Warn of Precedent
Although the European Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen supported the five-year deal between Italy and Albania, calling it an example of “out-of-the-box thinking” in tackling migration, many rights groups are less enthusiastic. The U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) has expressed significant concerns about the agreement, warning that it could undermine the rights of asylum-seekers.
A UNHCR spokesperson confirmed on Monday that one of its teams is conducting an “independent mission” aboard the ship transporting the migrants to monitor the screening process and ensure it complies with international law. The agency has agreed to supervise the programme for the first three months to ensure the protection of migrants’ rights and dignity.
The Cost of Controlling Migration
Under the agreement, Albania will host up to 3,000 male migrants, while Italy promises to fast-track their asylum applications. These individuals will retain their right, under EU and international law, to apply for asylum in Italy and have their claims processed there. However, this externalisation of migration processing has raised concerns about potential human rights violations and the long-term implications for Europe’s asylum policies.
The two centres in Albania are expected to cost Italy around 670 million euros (approximately $730 million) over the five-year period. Although the facilities are managed by Italy and fall under Italian jurisdiction, external security will be provided by Albanian guards. This raises further questions about the extent of oversight and the ability of the centres to guarantee safe conditions for the migrants housed there.
Political Implications for Europe
Meloni and her right-wing allies have long called for a more equitable distribution of the migration burden across Europe. This bilateral deal with Albania represents their most concrete step towards that goal, but critics argue that such arrangements could signal a retreat from solidarity and shared responsibility within the European Union. By outsourcing its asylum processes, Italy risks setting a precedent for other EU countries, potentially leading to a fragmented approach to migration policy.
This first transfer to Albania may mark the beginning of a new chapter in Italy’s ongoing efforts to manage migration, but it has also reignited a larger debate about the future of Europe’s asylum system and the moral obligations of EU member states.
