Italy’s new asylum seeker agreement with Albania draws significant criticism.
- Human Rights Watch describes the deal as a mismanaged model, sparking concerns.
- Critics argue the agreement risks the safety and rights of asylum seekers.
- The deal involves transferring 36,000 asylum seekers to Albania over five years.
- Italian Prime Minister sees potential for this approach to be adopted by other nations.
Human Rights Watch has openly criticized Italy’s agreement with Albania regarding the handling of asylum seekers. The deal, which intends to transfer asylum seekers to Albania for processing, has been labeled by HRW as a “model of mismanagement” and a “blueprint for abuse.” This stark assessment highlights serious concerns about the operation and oversight of the agreement.
The arrangement, signed in November of last year, outlines the transfer of up to 36,000 asylum seekers over the coming five years. These individuals, upon their relocation to Albania, will have their Italian asylum requests processed at a new facility in the Albanian port city of Shengjin. Italy will not only manage the construction of this holding center but will also retain control over its operations, ensuring the security of the asylum seekers relocated there.
Italy has been careful to designate Albania as a ‘safe’ country for the asylum seekers it plans to transfer. This list of ‘safe’ countries includes 22 nations, such as Cameroon, Morocco, Egypt, Kosovo, Colombia, and Georgia. Nevertheless, this assurance has not quelled concerns, as many question the legitimacy and impact of these designations on human rights.
Albania’s parliamentary approval of the deal in February proceeded despite a boycott by opposition lawmakers, who expressed national security concerns. Their boycott signifies the political tensions and disagreements surrounding this international cooperation on handling asylum seekers.
In contrast, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has championed the arrangement as an effective model that could be emulated by other European countries. During a recent visit to the site, Meloni detailed plans for the operational centers, stating, ‘The two centers in Albania will be operational from August 1st. We start with a thousand, then three thousand more.’ Her remarks suggest a confident outlook on the scalability and potential success of this initiative.
Italy’s asylum seeker agreement with Albania remains controversial, receiving mixed reactions globally.
