Italian migration centres open in Albania under controversial deal
GuardianOct 24, 2024
Italy Advances Plan for Migrant Centers in Albania
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Above: Albanians protest against a proposed migrant deal with Italy in Tirana, Albania on Jan. 29, 2024. Image copyright: Olsi Shehu/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Facts
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the government's intention to proceed with a plan to establish migrant detention centers in Albania following an agreement reached with Tirana in 2024.
The initiative aims to redirect migrants rescued at sea by Italy to Albanian facilities, with the stated purpose of deterring migration routes from Africa.
The Spin
Right narrative
This detention center plan represents a necessary and legally sound approach to managing migration flows and protecting borders. The significant reduction in arrivals demonstrates the effectiveness of strict border policies. This plan is an essential part of deterring illegal immigration, curbing the issue of human trafficking in Italy, and ensuring that those who enter Italy have a genuine right to enter the EU.
Left narrative
The forced transfer of migrants to facilities outside EU territory raises serious legal and humanitarian concerns. The courts' intervention and ordered returns of detained migrants to Italy highlight fundamental issues with the plan's compatibility with EU law and human rights standards. Migrants will be subjected to unnecessarily long journeys and arbitrary detention, in a plan that essentially amounts to Italy offloading this issue beyond its territory.
