Albanian Court Approves Migration Agreement with Italy Amid Europe's Migrant Crisis

Albania's constitutional court has given its approval to a contentious agreement that would see asylum seekers in Italy sent to Albania. Under this agreement, the Italian government will construct two processing centers in northern Albania, which would handle up to 36,000 individuals annually who are trying to reach Italy. The Albanian parliament will need to ratify the deal, but this is expected to be a smooth process as Prime Minister Edi Rama holds a strong majority. If implemented, around 3,000 people per month who attempt to reach Italy via sea would be detained in the two centers near the Albanian port of Shengjin while their asylum claims are assessed. The Italian government would finance and operate these centers under Italian law, with Italian personnel having certain legal immunities in Albania. Italy would then take responsibility for either resettling or deporting migrants after their claims are evaluated. Albania will provide security personnel and police officers. The agreement, initially presented by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Mr. Rama in Rome last November, faced temporary resistance after the Albanian opposition filed two petitions arguing that it would violate the asylum seekers' protection under the constitution and international law. However, the constitutional court ruled in favor of the agreement, stating that it does not introduce new constitutional rights or impose additional restrictions on existing human rights beyond what Albanian laws already establish. The court also rejected claims that the agreement would grant Italy sovereignty over Albanian territory, affirming that it does not affect territorial boundaries or change the Republic of Albania's territorial integrity. The vote within the court was reported as 5-4 against blocking the proposed legislation. Last week, Italian MPs supported the agreement in a vote of 155 to 115. The next step is approval by the Italian Senate, where it is also expected to pass. Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed concerns about the agreement to the Italian Senate, emphasizing potential human rights issues related to living conditions and arbitrary detention for transferred asylum seekers. Although the specific opening date for the centers is unclear, the plan's tentative announcement in spring 2024 was previously mentioned. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who leads the right-wing nationalist Brothers of Italy party, promised firm action against immigration when elected in September 2022. However, there was a surge in migrant arrivals in Italy in 2023, with over 155,000 individuals entering the country, 52,000 more than the previous year. The Albanian plan is among Meloni's proposed measures to address illegal migration.