Albania Becomes Europe’s Gatekeeper as Italy Outsources Asylum Seekers
In a controversial move marking a potential turning point in Europe’s approach to migration, the first group of asylum seekers intercepted in Italian waters arrived in Albania. This transfer, a direct result of a contentious agreement signed between Rome and Tirana in November 2023, allows Italy to process asylum applications abroad, raising concerns about human rights and setting a precedent for other European nations.
Sixteen men, primarily from Egypt and Bangladesh, disembarked the Italian Navy ship Libra in the Albanian port of Shengjin, greeted by a heavy security presence and a handful of protestors. Their journey, lasting over 36 hours, marks the beginning of a pilot program that has drawn criticism from human rights groups.
These men, many of them young, will be housed in prefabricated units surrounded by high fences and under constant surveillance by Italian security forces. Their new home, a camp in Gader with a capacity of 880 people, will serve as a processing center where they can formally apply for asylum.
The agreement mandates that asylum applications be processed within 28 days, with those awaiting a decision beyond this timeframe being transferred back to Italy. However, critics argue that this timeline is unrealistic given the notoriously slow pace of Italian bureaucracy.
This initiative, costing Italy €65 million (double the initial budget) for the construction of the processing centers alone, is projected to reach €160 million annually by 2025. Elly Schlein, leader of Italy’s Democratic Party, criticized the government for prioritizing this costly and controversial program over pressing domestic issues like healthcare.
The agreement, championed by Italy’s right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has been met with resistance from human rights organizations who argue that it violates international law and undermines the rights of refugees. SOS Humanity, a prominent NGO, condemned the agreement, stating that it “violates international maritime law and could further undermine the fundamental rights of refugees.” They further criticized it as a “new strategy by an EU member state to outsource migration management and thus absolve itself of responsibility for the human rights of refugees.”
Despite the criticism, Meloni has defended the agreement as a “courageous” example for other European nations grappling with migration challenges. She highlighted the interest shown by France, Germany, Sweden, and the UK in Italy’s approach, suggesting a potential shift in European migration policy.
The long-term implications of this agreement remain to be seen. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, facing pressure from member states, acknowledged the need to learn from this pilot program. As Albania becomes a testing ground for the outsourcing of asylum seekers, the world watches to see if this approach will become a model for other nations or a cautionary tale of human rights violations.
