Italy’s far-right government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has taken significant steps to advance a contentious migration deal with Albania by enacting a new decree intended to streamline the repatriation of migrants. This decree, which is effective immediately, reduces the list of countries classified as “safe” for the purpose of repatriation from 22 to 19. The countries now excluded from the list include Cameroon, Colombia, and Nigeria, allowing the government to fast-track the repatriation of migrants who fail to gain asylum status. This legislative shift comes in light of recent judicial challenges that threatened the viability of the agreement between Italy and Albania.
The urgency of the new decree was triggered by a recent ruling from a Rome court that rejected the detention of 12 migrants at a newly established reception center in Albania. The judges argued that the migrants’ home countries—Bangladesh and Egypt—were not safe enough for their repatriation. Consequently, these individuals were returned to Italy, where they can reapply for asylum. This ruling highlighted significant legal hurdles for the Italian government, as it underscored the standards set by the European Court of Justice regarding the safety of countries designated for migrant repatriation. The court ruled that a nation could only be considered safe if its entire territory meets minimum safety requirements for returning migrants.
This legal setback was particularly concerning for the Italian government, as it directly impacted a five-year agreement with Albania, which stipulates that Tirana will accept 3,000 migrants each month from Italian coast guard operations in international waters. These migrants will be screened for asylum eligibility; those who do not qualify will be sent back to their home countries. Meloni has been a vigorous supporter of this agreement, framing it as a progressive model for addressing illegal migration. The government is determined to shift the narrative around migration policy, focusing on deterrence and stricter enforcement rather than humanitarian responses.
In response to the court ruling, Prime Minister Meloni criticized the judges’ decisions as prejudicial and vowed to eliminate any judicial impediments to the repatriation agreement. She has actively sought to position the Italy-Albania migration deal as part of a broader strategy to combat illegal immigration, which she argues is essential for national security and sovereignty. However, the Italian government’s stance has been met with strong backlash from human rights organizations that perceive the agreement as a dangerous move that undermines international legal standards regarding refugee protection and human rights.
Legal analysts have raised concerns regarding the adequacy of the new decree to address potential legal conflicts in the future, noting that EU regulations take precedence over national laws in such matters. This raises questions about the lasting effectiveness of the new provisions and whether they can withstand judicial scrutiny in light of European legal frameworks. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi defended the decree, asserting that it aligns with both the recent European Court of Justice ruling and a new EU regulation set to take effect in 2026, which may facilitate similar initiatives across member states.
The debate surrounding Italy’s migration deal with Albania underscores the ongoing tensions in Europe regarding how best to manage asylum seekers and migrants. As governments grapple with the pressures of migration flows, the Italy-Albania pact represents an attempt to create a new operational model. However, the legitimacy and human rights implications of such agreements remain contentious, with critics warning that prioritizing swift repatriation over careful assessment of safety for migrants could have grave consequences for those seeking refuge from conflict and persecution. The unfolding situation calls for careful monitoring as it may set precedents for how European nations approach migration and asylum in the time ahead.