ROME — On Sunday, Italy announced the transfer of 49 migrants who had been rescued in the Mediterranean Sea to processing facilities in Albania. This marks the third such attempt that faces challenges from the judicial system. The navy ship Cassiopea, carrying the migrants, is anticipated to dock at the port of Shengjin in Albania on Tuesday morning, according to port officials.
The Interior Ministry reported that an additional 53 migrants voluntarily presented their passports after being informed that doing so could prevent their transfer to Albania. When their nationality is confirmed, the processing typically occurs more quickly, as individuals determined not to qualify for asylum in the European Union can be returned through an expedited process.
Italian courts previously rejected the validation of two smaller groups’ detention in the Albanian centers, which were established under a controversial agreement between Italy and Albania. The cases have since been escalated to the European Court of Justice, which previously ruled that asylum seekers could not be subjected to expedited procedures that might lead to their repatriation if their home country is not deemed entirely safe.
The European court will resume the hearing regarding this issue on February 25. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has committed to reactivating the two processing centers in Albania that had been idle due to the decisions made by Italian courts. This commitment received some support from a ruling in late December by Italy’s highest court, indicating that Italian judges could not override government policy regarding what countries are deemed safe for deporting migrants whose asylum requests have been rejected.
While lower courts can assess safety on a case-by-case basis, this does not establish a comprehensive policy. Italy has allocated 650 million euros (approximately $675 million) to operate the centers over a five-year period. The facilities, which opened in October, are prepared to accommodate up to 3,000 male migrants monthly who are picked up by the Italian coast guard in international waters.
Human rights organizations and NGOs working in the Mediterranean region have criticized the agreement, arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent that contradicts international law. Meloni has consistently emphasized that the initiative to process migrants outside EU borders in Albania has garnered significant support from other European leaders.
