07 November 2024
The government continues even in the face of obstacles raised by some judges. The Navy ship Libra docked this morning in the port of Shengjin, Albania, with eight Egyptian and Bangladeshi migrants on board. It is the second time this has happened, after the Rome court, in mid-October, ordered the release of twelve other illegal immigrants, also Egyptians and Bangladeshis, prohibiting them from being repatriated because their countries of origin are not considered safe. The following week the Meloni government issued a law decree updating the list of safe countries, including Egypt and Bangladesh, so as to be able to continue with the transfer of illegal immigrants to the two centers opened in Shengjin and Gjader. But it is not certain that the magistrates will “strike” again, since they have also done so in recent days. It happened in Bologna, Catania and yesterday in Palermo. In the latter case, a judge suspended the validation of the detention at the border of two migrants, a citizen of Senegal and one of Ghana, currently hosted in the Porto Empedocle hotspot, in the province of Agrigento, and asked the Court of Justice for an opinion. European justice, as did another Bologna office.
As usual, the opposition is crying foul, denouncing what they define as an enormous waste of public resources. «Eight migrants on a warship at a cost of 36 thousand euros each», thunders Angelo Bonelli of Avs. Yet, this reasoning does not take into account the main effect of the Albania “model”: deterrence. It is true that the migrants who will arrive in Shengjin today are only eight, but there are two facts to take into account. In the first days of the Libra ship’s presence in the Mediterranean, around three hundred migrants were checked and of these only just over a third were found to come from safe countries. This is the first consequence: the agreement between Italy and Albania discourages migrants from setting sail from the African coasts. The second element to consider, which allows us to considerably reduce the number of people to be detained in repatriation centers (CPR), both in Italy and in Albania, consists in the newfound habit of migrants of presenting an identity document to the Italian authorities. Nobody did it anymore. There were those who even threw it into the sea before setting foot on land. Today it almost doesn’t happen anymore. This allows the Italian authorities to immediately start repatriation procedures and conclude them within a month.
Of course, the objection remains that the non-EU citizen on duty, by not being detained in a CPR, loses his traces. But, if he is stopped a second time, he will have to answer as he has already been identified. It is no coincidence that just yesterday the Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi, speaking at the hearing of the Schengen Parliamentary Committee, explained: «We, in this latest transfer that we are carrying out in Albania, there are a few dozen people who have been excluded, and this is an indirect effect of the procedures, because they took out the document which is one of the conditions for exclusion from detention.” Meanwhile, the government, after an appeal to the Supreme Court (the day before yesterday the High Court rejected an appeal from a Moroccan), awaits a ruling that will allow it to put a firm point on the issue of safe countries.
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**Interview with Migration Expert Dr. Sofia Conte**
**Host:** Welcome, Dr. Sofia Conte, migration expert and sociologist. We appreciate you joining us today to discuss the recent developments in Italy regarding the migrant policy and the situation in Albania.
**Dr. Conte:** Thank you for having me. It’s a complex situation but essential for understanding current migration dynamics in Europe.
**Host:** Italy’s government has faced significant backlash after a Rome court ruled that the first twelve migrants sent to Albania should be returned to Italy. What does this decision indicate about the legal challenges surrounding migration policies?
**Dr. Conte:** This ruling underscores the growing tensions between national laws and European human rights standards. The Italian government’s attempts to categorize certain countries as “safe” for migrant repatriation have met legal resistance, reflecting concerns over the safety of individuals returning to those nations. Courts are increasingly vigilant about ensuring that migrants’ rights are not compromised.
**Host:** In light of this ruling, how is the Italian government justifying its ongoing migrant transfers to Albania?
**Dr. Conte:** The government emphasizes its strategy of deterrence. By transferring migrants to Albania, they aim to discourage further arrivals by presenting the policy as somewhat effective. They argue that it helps prevent migrants from setting out from unsafe regions. However, the effectiveness of this approach is still being debated.
**Host:** Opposition voices in Italy have criticized the cost implications of sending migrants to Albania, citing that eight migrants on a warship cost €36,000 each. How do you view the financial aspect of this policy?
**Dr. Conte:** Financial considerations are valid, especially when public resources are at stake. However, proponents argue that the cost should be evaluated against the broader economic and social implications of an uncontrolled migrant influx. The deterrent effect could lead to long-term savings in terms of border management and processing.
**Host:** You mentioned deterrence earlier. What evidence supports the argument that the “Albania model” is having the desired deterrent effect?
**Dr. Conte:** Initial reports suggest that the presence of the Italian navy and the arrangements with Albania have led to a reduction in the number of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean. Moreover, an increase in migrants presenting identity documents upon arrival indicates a behavioral shift that could streamline the repatriation process, which theoretically minimizes costs and enhances security.
**Host:** As we move forward, what do you anticipate for Italy’s migrant policy and its relationship with Albania?
**Dr. Conte:** The situation is likely to remain contentious. Expect more legal challenges as courts balance migration policies against human rights protections. Moreover, as the political landscape shifts, so might public opinion, which could influence future agreements with Albania and broader European migration strategies.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Conte, for sharing your insights on this important and evolving issue. We look forward to your continued perspectives on migration in Europe.
**Dr. Conte:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to keep the conversation going as this situation develops.
