Italy Begins the Transfer of Asylum Seekers to Albania

An Italian navy ship approaches the Albanian port as Italian authorities transfer 40 rejected asylum seekers to Italian-run migration detention centers in Albania, in Shengjin, northwestern Albania, Friday, April 11, 2025 (Source: AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj).

In a move that challenges traditional migration policies, Italy has successfully transferred forty rejected asylum seekers to their camp in Albania. The transfer, taking place last week, stems from a complex bilateral agreement between Italy and Albania that was first signed last fall but subsequently challenged by Italian courts, temporarily halting its enactment. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government positioned this approach as a strategic solution to managing migration pressures, arguing on the basis that it provides a more efficient and controlled method of handling rejected asylum seekers.

Last week, a new Italian decree effectively overturned previous court rulings that blocked the use of Albanian centers for migrant repatriation. This legal reversal allows the government to proceed with this controversial plan. The decree specifically redefined the function of at least one Albanian center, transforming it from a processing facility into a full-fledged detention center for migrants already in Italy with return orders. 

The transfer of the 40 migrants represents a test case for what could become a broader European approach to asylum management. The Netherlands and United Kingdom have both expressed interest in similar migration management strategies, suggesting the potential to become a more common policy. EU member states remain divided, with some viewing this as a potential solution to migration pressures and others seeing it as a dangerous precedent.

A migrant escorted by police officers disembarks the Italian navy ship Libra in Shengjin, northwestern Albania, Friday, April 11, 2025 (Source: AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj).

International legal frameworks are being intensely scrutinized in light of this transfer. The principle of non-refoulement, a cornerstone of international refugee protection, prohibits countries from returning individuals to locations where they might face persecution or serious harm. 

Concerns exist regarding due process and access to legal aid for those transferred to Albania. The Italian-Albanian agreement lacks explicit guarantees of adequate legal representation for asylum seekers. Their ability to present asylum claims and challenge deportation orders is uncertain.  The risk of arbitrary detention and unjust deportation without proper legal recourse is high.  Information on living conditions within the Albanian center remains scarce, raising further humanitarian concerns.

The Albanian reception center is now the focal point of intense international scrutiny. Human rights organizations are closely monitoring conditions, raising concerns about adherence to international legal standards and the potential for human rights abuses. Transferring vulnerable individuals to a country with a potentially less robust human rights record raises serious moral questions. The risk of exploitation, including forced labor or human trafficking, is a real concern, and Italy's commitment to protecting vulnerable populations is being questioned by this policy.  The potential for long-term reputational damage to Italy and the EU is substantial.

Migrants who arrived aboard the Italian navy ship Libra look out from a window of a bus as Italian authorities transfer 40 migrants to Italian-run migration detention centers in Albania on Friday, April 11, 2025 (Source: AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj).

Italy's significant role in Mediterranean migration and its perception of insufficient EU support are key contextual factors. The country's frustration with bearing a disproportionate burden of migrants has driven this controversial approach. The EU's response, and any resulting policy adjustments, will significantly impact whether this becomes a model for other nations or a cautionary tale about human displacement. The long-term success or failure of this initiative depends on transparent monitoring, robust accountability measures, and a commitment to upholding fundamental human rights.