Rome, October 22, 2024 – The Italian government has passed a new decree to bypass court rulings that hindered the transfer of migrants to camps in Albania. This move comes after legal challenges cast doubt on the legality of the plan, part of Italy’s broader efforts to manage migration and ease the strain on domestic facilities.
The plan, announced earlier this year by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration, seeks to relocate migrants from Italy to processing centers in Albania as a way to deter irregular arrivals. However, Italian courts raised concerns over the legality of outsourcing asylum processing to a non-EU country, arguing it might violate international and EU law regarding refugee protection.
By adopting the decree, the government has reinforced its commitment to proceed with the agreement despite judicial objections. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi stated that the measure is necessary to address Italy’s migration crisis and prevent overcrowding in reception facilities. “We are facing extraordinary challenges, and extraordinary measures are required,” Piantedosi said.
The plan with Albania reflects Italy’s push for externalizing asylum processing, similar to EU efforts with countries like Tunisia and Libya. Critics, including humanitarian organizations, argue that such policies risk undermining the rights and safety of migrants, as conditions in third-country camps may not meet international standards.
Meloni’s government has framed the decree as essential to maintaining control over Italy’s borders and meeting public demands for stricter migration policies. However, opposition leaders and activists have vowed to challenge the decree, warning that it could face further legal battles at both the national and EU levels.
The Albanian government has agreed to host the migrant camps, but questions remain about how it will ensure proper treatment and processing under the new arrangement.