In Shengjin, Albania, an Italian naval vessel transported migrants to Italy on Saturday as part of a follow-up to a recent legal ruling in Rome. This marked the third unsuccessful attempt by the right-wing government led by Giorgia Meloni to process migrants in a non-EU nation.
A coast guard ship successfully evacuated 43 migrants from Shengjin’s port, located approximately 66 kilometers (40 miles) from Tirana, the Albanian capital. These individuals were part of a larger group of 49 men who had been relocated to Albania earlier by an Italian naval vessel. Of this group, six individuals were sent back on the same day due to their status as minors or for being considered vulnerable. Reports indicate that these men originated from various countries, including Bangladesh, Egypt, Ivory Coast, and Gambia.
An appeals court in Rome ruled against the expedited deportation of the 43 asylum seekers who had been held in Albania since Tuesday. This decision stems from a contentious migration agreement aimed at shifting asylum processes outside of EU jurisdictions. The court has since referred the issue to the European Court of Justice based in Luxembourg, which is expected to deliberate on related cases by February 25. This situation has created tension between the Meloni administration and Italy’s judiciary, especially following similar court decisions in October and November, where judges likewise declined to endorse the removal of smaller cohorts of migrants, seeking clarification on safe repatriation destinations for those with rejected asylum claims.
In a five-year deal established last year, Italy committed to processing up to 3,000 migrants monthly beyond its EU borders as part of Meloni’s plan to address illegal immigration. Italy has emerged as the primary destination for numerous migrants undertaking hazardous voyages across the central Mediterranean Sea. While this agreement has sparked concerns from human rights advocates, it has attracted interest from Italy’s European partners.
During the first month of this year alone, Italy welcomed 3,704 migrants, nearly threefold the arrivals from the same timeframe in the previous year. Overall, the nation recorded a total of 66,317 migrant arrivals throughout last year, representing a 58% decrease from the prior year. According to the Italian Interior Ministry, the largest share of these migrants were from Bangladesh, followed by individuals from Syria, Tunisia, and Egypt.
