A vessel transporting the initial cohort of migrants to be processed in Albania as part of an agreement with Italy docked at the port of Shengjin on Wednesday morning, marking the commencement of Rome’s contentious initiative to handle thousands of asylum seekers outside its borders.
Italy has established two reception centres in Albania, marking the first initiative by a European Union member state to redirect migrants to a non-EU nation. The initiative seeks to discourage unauthorized entries into Italy; however, it has faced backlash from human rights organizations that argue it undermines migrants’ asylum rights.
Footage from Reuters captured the Italian navy ship, the Libra, as it arrived at the port of Shengjin. Sixteen migrants arrived at a newly constructed processing centre located at the port, surrounded by a tall metal fence and decorated with Italian and EU flags.
As migration issues escalate in Europe, several EU nations, notably Germany and Poland, are responding by proposing or implementing stricter policies. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asserted this week that her nation is serving as a model for the rest of Europe through its Albanian scheme.
On Wednesday, a small group of protesters convened at the port. One banner proclaimed, “The European dream ends here.”
“Immigrants who have undertaken perilous journeys to reach Europe are now changing their course to Albania, with the intention of returning to their home countries…” “It’s the end for us as Europe ceases to be a bastion of democracy, values, and human rights,” stated Arilda Lleshi, an activist from Albania focused on human rights.
A total of 16 migrants, including 10 individuals from Bangladesh and six from Egypt, were transported to Albania after being rescued at sea on Sunday. The group was found aboard boats that had departed from Libya.
Following processing in Shengjin, individuals will be transported to the nearby village of Gjader, located just a 15-minute drive away, where they will be housed until their documentation is completed.
If their asylum request is approved, they will be relocated to Italy; however, if it is denied, they will be returned to their country of origin.
Italian personnel will be responsible for staffing the facilities in Shengjin and Gjader. The agreement stipulates that the maximum number of migrants allowed to be present in Albania at any given time is capped at 3,000.
Italy has announced that it will only send “non-vulnerable” men from countries deemed safe to Albania, with a cap set at 36,000 migrants annually.
The Italian list currently includes 21 nations. In the previous year, Italy witnessed the arrival of 56,588 migrants hailing from four specific countries: Bangladesh, Egypt, Ivory Coast, and Tunisia. A significant number of individuals are leaving reception centres and making their way towards the more affluent regions of northern Europe.
