AP – An Italian navy ship arrived yesterday in Albania with 49 migrants intercepted in international waters for processing of their asylum applications at special Albanian centres, in the third such attempt following hurdles earlier raised by Italian courts.
Italy’s Interior Ministry did not specify the nationality of the migrants brought to the port of Shengjin, 66 kilometres northwest of the capital, Tirana, but Italian media said they were from Bangladesh, Egypt, Ivory Coast and Gambia.
The attempt at processing in Albania follows two previous failures in October and November, when Italian judges refused to approve the detention of two small groups at the Albanian centres, built under a contentious agreement between Italy and Albania. The courts ruled that the migrants’ countries of origin weren’t safe enough for them to face the possibility of being sent back by the centers.
The cases have been referred to the European Court of Justice, which earlier established that asylum applicants could not undergo a fast-track procedure that could lead to repatriation if their home countries are not deemed completely safe.
The European court hearing on the case is scheduled for February 25.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni’s government has vowed to reactivate the two centres in Albania after they remained dormant following the Italian courts’ decisions.
Meloni’s position was partially backed by a ruling in late December by Italy’s highest court, which said Italian judges could not substitute for government policy in deciding which countries are safe for repatriation of migrants whose asylum requests are rejected.
The decision does allow lower courts to make such determinations on a case-by-case basis, short of setting overall policy.
The migrants are to be checked in at a reception centre at the port of Shengjin before being taken to the Gjader accommodation centre, about 22 kilometres to the east.
The November 2023 agreement allows up to 3,000 migrants intercepted by the Italian coast guard in international waters each month to be sheltered in Albania and vetted for possible asylum in Italy or repatriation.
