SHENGJIN – An Italian navy ship arrived Tuesday in Albania with 49 migrants intercepted in worldwide waters for processing of their asylum functions at particular Albanian facilities, within the third such try following hurdles earlier raised by Italian courts.
Italy’s Inside Ministry didn’t specify the nationality of the migrants dropped at the port of Shengjin, 66 kilometers (40 miles) northwest of the capital, Tirana, however Italian media mentioned they have been from Bangladesh, Egypt, Ivory Coast and Gambia.
The attempt at processing in Albania follows two earlier failures in October and November, when Italian judges refused to approve the detention of two small teams on the Albanian facilities, constructed beneath a contentious agreement between Italy and Albania. The courts dominated that the migrants’ international locations of origin weren’t protected sufficient for them to face the opportunity of being despatched again by the facilities.
The circumstances have been referred to the European Court docket of Justice, which earlier established that asylum candidates couldn’t endure a fast-track process that might result in repatriation if their dwelling international locations usually are not deemed fully protected.
The European court docket listening to on the case is scheduled for Feb. 25.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni’s authorities has vowed to reactivate the two centers in Albania after they remained dormant following the Italian courts’ selections.
Meloni’s place was partially backed by a ruling in late December by Italy’s highest court docket, which mentioned Italian judges couldn’t substitute for presidency coverage in deciding which international locations are protected for repatriation of migrants whose asylum requests are rejected.
The choice does permit decrease courts to make such determinations on a case-by-case foundation, wanting setting general coverage.
The migrants are to be checked in at a reception middle on the port of Shengjin earlier than being taken to the Gjader lodging middle, about 22 kilometers (14 miles) to the east.
The November 2023 settlement permits as much as 3,000 migrants intercepted by the Italian coast guard in worldwide waters every month to be sheltered in Albania and vetted for doable asylum in Italy or repatriation.
Italy has agreed to welcome these migrants who’re granted asylum, whereas these whose functions are rejected face deportation instantly from Albania.
The settlement to outsource the housing of asylum-seekers to a non-European Union member nation has been hailed by some countries which like Italy are experiencing a excessive stage of migrant arrivals, however human rights activists have criticized the deal as setting a harmful precedent.
Up to now this yr, 3,704 migrants have arrived in Italy, greater than double the quantity in the identical interval final yr, when 1,305 arrived. Final yr, 66,317 migrants arrived in Italy, a drop of 58% from the earlier yr. Most arrived from Bangladesh, adopted by Syria, Tunisia and Egypt, in keeping with the Italian Inside Ministry.
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Semini reported from Tirana. Colleen Barry in Milan contributed to this report.
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