Italy Sends First Asylum Seekers to Albania Under Controversial Pact: A Deep Dive into the Migration Deal
In a move that has sparked intense debate and raised significant human rights concerns, Italy has begun sending its first group of asylum seekers to Albania under a contentious migration agreement. The pact, which has been endorsed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, aims to process up to 36,000 asylum applications annually in Albania. This arrangement has been criticized by various human rights organizations, who argue that it contravenes international law and sets a dangerous precedent for the treatment of migrants within the European Union (EU).
The agreement, signed in November 2023, involves the transfer of migrants intercepted at sea by the Italian Navy to reception centers in Albania. These centers are being built at a cost of 670 million over five years, with Italy managing the facilities and operating under its jurisdiction. Albanian personnel will be responsible for external security. The deal has been hailed by some as an innovative solution to the complex issue of migration within the EU, but it has also faced widespread criticism from human rights defenders and international organizations.
1. The Italy-Albania Migration Pact: An Overview
The Italy-Albania migration pact is part of a broader strategy by the Italian government to manage its borders and reduce the number of asylum seekers within its territory. The agreement allows Italy to transfer migrants who are intercepted at sea to Albania for processing. This approach is often referred to as 'externalization' of asylum procedures, where the processing of asylum claims is outsourced to a third country outside the EU's territorial waters. Italy's first ship with migrants to Albania has raised concerns about the safety and dignity of these individuals.
Under the agreement, only migrants from countries deemed 'safe' by Italy will be sent to Albania. This includes nationals from countries such as Ivory Coast and Tunisia. Those who are granted asylum will be allowed to enter Italy, while those whose applications are rejected will face deportation directly from Albania. The deal has been criticized for potentially leading to discrimination and arbitrariness in the asylum process, as it limits the ability to consider individual asylum claims based on specific circumstances such as sexual orientation.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has warned that the Italy-Albania deal is 'costly, cruel, and counterproductive.' The IRC argues that this approach will push people seeking safety onto more dangerous routes, undermining their fundamental right to seek asylum. The IRC highlights the risks associated with the scheme and urges the EU and its member states not to use this model as a blueprint for their own approaches to asylum and migration.
2. Human Rights Concerns and Criticisms
Human rights organizations have expressed significant concerns about the Italy-Albania migration pact. One of the primary concerns is that the deal undermines the right to seek asylum, which is enshrined in EU and international law. The IRC argues that moving people to closed centers away from EU soil jeopardizes this basic human right, effectively detaining individuals for their attempts to find a safe haven and protection.
Additionally, there are concerns about the treatment of vulnerable individuals such as women, children, and those with health issues. The agreement specifies that these groups will not be deported to Albania, but there are currently no guarantees or safeguards in place to identify them and ensure their exemption from detainment and deportation. Italy's transfer of migrants to Albania has raised human rights concerns, highlighting the need for robust protection mechanisms.
The deal has also been criticized for its potential to create a discriminatory system where asylum seekers are divided based on their nationality. This could lead to unequal treatment and undermine the fairness of the asylum process. The IRC emphasizes that any migration partnerships with third countries must be conditional on upholding fundamental rights and ensuring that asylum seekers' rights are respected.
3. Economic and Social Impacts
Despite the controversy surrounding the deal, there are also economic and social implications worth considering. The construction of reception centers in Albania is expected to bring economic benefits to the region, particularly in rural areas where local job opportunities are scarce. In Gjader, a village in Albania where one of the centers is being built, residents have expressed appreciation for the project, seeing it as an opportunity for economic growth and community development.
Bib Lazri, a 70-year-old resident of Gjader, stated, 'Honoring those in need will make us more in number, despite their race, language or nation.' This sentiment reflects a broader sense of solidarity and responsibility among Albanian communities towards migrants seeking refuge. However, this positive aspect does not mitigate the broader human rights concerns associated with the deal.
The Italian government has emphasized that the deal is part of its efforts to crack down on migration in Italy. Prime Minister Meloni has long advocated for European countries to share more of the migration burden, viewing the Albania agreement as an innovative solution to a long-standing problem within the EU. However, this approach has been met with skepticism by many human rights organizations and international bodies.
4. EU Response and International Observations
The EU's response to the Italy-Albania migration pact has been mixed. While European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has praised the arrangement as an example of 'out-of-the-box thinking' on tackling migration issues, many member states remain cautious. In a joint letter addressed to the Commission in May, 15 member states urged the bloc to 'build on models like the Italy-Albania Protocol' as part of a joint push to partially manage migration within the EU.
However, other EU countries have taken a more critical stance. Germany's migration commissioner, Joachim Stamp, recently suggested that facilities funded by the previous Conservative UK government in Rwanda could be used as part of a similar approach. This contrasts with the UK's recent decision to scrap its own plan to send migrants to Rwanda for processing, citing it as a 'costly, cruel, and counterproductive' measure.
The UNHCR has announced that it will monitor the implementation of the Italy-Albania deal to ensure that asylum rights and international protection standards are upheld. It is critical that independent human rights monitors be allowed unimpeded access to monitor the center's conditions, observe registration and asylum procedures, and talk to individuals held in the center.
5. Conclusion
In conclusion, the Italy-Albania migration pact represents a complex and contentious issue within the EU. While it aims to address the pressing problem of migration by outsourcing asylum processing to a third country, it raises significant human rights concerns. The deal's potential to create a discriminatory system, undermine the right to seek asylum, and push vulnerable individuals onto dangerous routes underscores the need for robust protection mechanisms and international oversight.
As the EU continues to grapple with its migration policies, it is crucial that any future agreements prioritize the dignity and safety of asylum seekers. The implementation of the Italy-Albania deal will be closely watched by human rights organizations and international bodies, with a focus on ensuring that fundamental rights are upheld and that any migration partnerships adhere to international law.
