ROME — The Italian government announced on Monday that it is beginning to transfer a group of migrants to Albania, marking the first step in a contentious initiative aimed at processing a significant number of asylum-seekers outside of Italy’s borders.
According to the Interior Ministry, a naval vessel set sail from the island of Lampedusa carrying a total of 16 individuals—10 from Bangladesh and 6 from Egypt—who had been rescued at sea after attempting to embark from Libya. The ship is scheduled to reach Albania on Wednesday morning, as stated by a representative from the ministry.
Italy’s far-right government, led by Premier Giorgia Meloni, formally inaugurated two processing centers in Albania last Friday. These facilities are intended to handle thousands of male migrants who have been intercepted in international waters while trying to reach Europe.
Initially, the centers are expected to accommodate up to 400 migrants, a number that officials anticipate will increase to 880 in the near future.
It is important to note that women, children, elderly individuals, and those who are unwell or survivors of torture will remain in Italy. Family units will not be disrupted during this process.
This five-year agreement, which received backing from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last year, was highlighted as an example of innovative thinking in addressing the migration crisis. However, various human rights organizations have raised alarms, claiming that it could establish a perilous model for future migration management.
A representative from the U.N. refugee agency, expressing grave concerns regarding the situation, revealed that a team is currently conducting an independent mission aboard the ship to oversee the screening processes.
The agency, known as UNHCR, has committed to monitoring the initial three months of operations to help protect the rights and dignity of the individuals involved.
Under the terms of the agreement signed last year, Albania will host as many as 3,000 male migrants, while Italy will expedite their asylum applications. These migrants will still retain their rights under both international and EU law to seek asylum in Italy, where their claims will be evaluated.
The operational costs for running the two centers are estimated at around 670 million euros (approximately $730 million) over the course of five years. Although the facilities are under Italian jurisdiction and will be managed by Italy, external security will be provided by Albanian guards.
Meloni and her right-wing coalition members have long advocated for a more equitable distribution of the migration burden among European nations.