MILAN — On Thursday, Italian officials declined the asylum applications of 43 migrants who were transferred to Albania through an expedited process. Observers from a non-governmental organization criticized the handling of the situation, claiming it unlawfully denied the migrants the legal support they needed during their hearings.
The TAI Asylum and Immigration Board stated that the decisions made by the commission reflect a clear alignment with the government’s intention to reject these asylum claims, violating international, European, and constitutional laws.
These migrants were part of a larger group of 49 individuals who were relocated to Albania on an Italian naval vessel under a five-year agreement designed to manage asylum applications outside European Union borders. The processing centers, which are managed by Italy, were established to handle these cases. According to reports, the migrants hail from various countries, including Bangladesh, Egypt, Ivory Coast, and Gambia.
Five individuals from this group were directly brought to Italy due to their status as minors or because they were otherwise considered vulnerable.
The remaining 43 migrants faced a rapid asylum hearing; there is one more case pending a separate review. This marked the first instance of processing migrants in Albania following court decisions last year that blocked the transfers of other groups.
Observers highlighted that the 43 asylum-seekers were not provided with legal representation and were also given insufficient time to prepare for their hearings. Ultimately, the authorities regarded their requests for asylum as “unfounded.”
TAI expressed concern, stating, “These decisions affect the lives of individuals who have endured severe violence and torture, and they cannot be made in such a brief timeframe, especially without access to legal assistance.”
The asylum-seekers have a seven-day window to appeal their decisions in an Italian court, after which they could face potential deportation from Albania under the agreement between the two nations. However, Italy has not clearly outlined how it intends to handle the repatriation of individuals whose applications are denied.
