Photo credit: Aljazeera
Italy has set a record by being the first EU state to divert migrants to a non-EU country.
The first sixteen migrants rescued at sea while trying to reach Europe through Italy arrived at the Albanian port of Shengjin on Wednesday aboard an Italian navy vessel. According to Italy’s Coast Guard, the men, ten Bangladeshi nationals and six Egyptians were rescued on Sunday from various migrant vessels that left Libya days earlier.
Since Egypt and Bangladesh are among the 22 countries deemed “safe” by Italy, their nationals, with few exceptions, are not eligible for political asylum.
Under the protocol signed between Italy and Albania last year, those sent to Albania must not show any signs of torture, illness or vulnerability or be part of a nuclear family travelling together. Those brought directly instead would fall under EU regulations involving a lengthy asylum procedure.
After being vetted on the Italian Coast Guard vessel, the men were transferred to an Italian navy vessel, which turned them over to Italian authorities in Albania. They will then be guided through an expedited asylum application that will take less than a month.
An Italian judge will hear each case via video link, and immigration lawyers will be provided in Albania. If asylum seekers are denied, they will be reported to their countries of origin at Italy’s expense.
According to Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, the scheme was designed to deter those trying to reach Europe. Meloni signed the protocol with her Albanian counterpart last November.
