The Italian government is facing renewed scrutiny over its controversial migration policies as it pushes forward with plans to transfer rescued migrants to detention centers established in Albania. Following the recent return of 43 migrants from the Albanian town of Gjadër back to Italy, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, reaffirmed the government's stance. "We must promote regular immigration, but at the same time, we must combat illegal immigration. We are convinced we are right, so we will move forward," he stated, igniting fresh political debates around the so-called Albanian Model.
Opposition leader Elly Schlein criticized this model as unconstitutional, stating, "The so-called ‘Albanian Model’ could not work." Senator Carlo Calenda echoed this sentiment, advocating for strict border controls and forming agreements with nations like Tunisia, Niger, or Libya instead of relying on Albania.
These criticisms come amid growing agitation against Italy's approach, labeled as increasingly authoritarian by various human rights organizations and legal experts.
The controversy intensified on February 24th, when the Rome Appeals Court ordered the return of 49 migrants, including individuals from Bangladesh, who had previously been sent to Albania three days earlier. This decision marked the third time Italian courts intervened to stop the government's plans to detain migrants abroad after their asylum applications were rejected. The directive emphasized the importance of considering the rights and freedoms of migrants, with judges remarking, "Holding someone under the guise of asylum means stripping them of their rights. If a person is a citizen of a safe country, the court will not allow them to stay in Italy. These are the court's decisions, but forcibly taking someone to another country against their will is unjust."
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has been at the center of the backlash against these policies. Her proposal to process up to 3,000 asylum seekers monthly at the centers was derailed when the courts ruled against it for the third consecutive time. Schlein has called for Meloni to resign over the financial burden this initiative poses, which is estimated to cost about 1 billion euros. "The centers in Albania don’t work and won’t work. They are a resounding failure," Schlein said, clearly articuling the opposition's complications with the government’s stance.
Despite the mounting criticisms and legal setbacks, European leaders have praised Italy's efforts, with von der Leyen describing the Albania plan as "an innovative solution." This perspective, influential within EU circles, stands at odds with the opinions of many opposition politicians and human rights advocates, who argue it disregards international humanitarian standards and safety norms for migrants.
This clash has opened the door to growing concerns about the rule of law within Italy. Francesca D'Antuono from Volt Europe remarked, "The feeling is the Italian government considers itself above the law. They make no distinction between their political mandate, won through elections, and respect for the institutional architecture..." With the European Court of Justice poised to hear the case on February 25, D'Antuono expressed the hope for ruling against what she described as the authoritarian tendencies of Europe's far-right governments.
While the Italian government's intentions may revolve around clamping down on illegal immigration, the substantial democratic and legal challenges being posed raise significant questions about the future of migration policy. The road to resolving this contentious situation appears fraught with legal complications and societal debates over human rights and humanitarian responsibility as the government seeks to assert its migration stance amid opposition challenges.
The impact of Italy's approach to migration has drawn increasing attention not only within national politics but across European borders as leaders discuss collective solutions to the migration crisis. The upcoming ruling by the European Court promises to shape the future of these policies significantly, demanding the Italian government navigate the thin line between enforcement and human rights.
The situation remains fluid as both national and international pressures converge on Italy's handling of migrants, bound up with questions of legality, morality, and the fundamental rights of individuals seeking refuge. With the clock ticking toward the ECJ’s decision, all eyes are on how this complex scenario will unravel, impacting not just migrants and their advocates but potentially setting precedents for migration policy across Europe.