wWhen Italy opened migrant centers in Albania in October, the plan was clear: 3,000 people per month stopped in Italian waters would have their asylum claims processed beyond Italy’s borders, monitored by Italian police officers.
Two months later, undercover Albanian journalists posing as tourists caught up with some of the officials who were staying in a 5-star hotel with a pool and spa in the Albanian port of Shengjin, where the migrant center is located.
“We came here to work, we protect the migrant center […] But there are no migrants in the facilities, they have been transferred to Italy,” officials said. Piranjat TV Journalist. “We are the only ones here. We are paid to act as tourists: breakfast, dinner and sauna, all free – the Italian government pays.
The facilities in Shengjin where they were sent to work are empty: what the European Commission presented as a new model for holding migrants outside the EU after Italian judges ruled before sending people back Detention at sea was declared illegal in Albania. Countries such as Bangladesh and Egypt are considered “safe” by Rome. Only 24 asylum seekers were sent to Albania and none remained there. Five spent less than 12 hours in the detention centre, while the rest stayed for more than 48 hours.
At a time when Italy is struggling to balance its budget, Fund cuts for education, health and social securityOpposition parties have called for a deal between Rome and Tirana that would cost around €1bn (£830m) over five years. A “financial disaster.”,
Italian police officers secretly recorded by Albania TV are among a few dozen survivors in Albania. About 50 people returned home in November along with dozens of social workers after it was discovered the facilities were empty.
At the end of November, the national daily will be revealed tomorrow Another Albanian detention center in Gazadar, intended to hold asylum seekers, was occupied by stray dogs adopted by 15 prison officers stationed there. “Prison authorities have tended to the needs of the dogs with love and patience, ensuring them food, water, daily medical care and, above all, a safe and loving environment,” the report said after visiting the centre.
The plan embarrassed the Italian government and was attacked by opposition parties. “complete failure”, has created controversy between authorities and judges, who have been accused by far-right parties of obstructing the project after they upheld an October 4 ruling by the European Court of Justice that declared no country outside the bloc safe until Unless its entire area is considered safe. Safe.
Months before the agreement was signed between Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, and his Albanian counterpart, Edi Rama, a number of NGOs, academics and experts Was Raised doubts about whether it can be considered humane or even legal Under international law. Several European states have proposed solutions similar to Italy’s agreement with Albania since 1993, with their proposals rejected.
Italy has indicated the initiative is on hold Because it seeks a solution that does not violate international humanitarian law.
“The centers for migrants in Albania will work, even if I have to spend every night there from now until the end [term of the] Italian government,” Melonie insisted.
The prime minister’s credibility is at stake as his government has made immigration a central campaign issue and criticized predecessors for spending public money on managing the migration crisis. (Transportation by sea on an Italian military ship for eight people who arrived in Albania cost €250,000 – More than €31,000 per person.)
“Why should we throw away Italians’ money like this? “Why leave law enforcement in Albania on furlough when we need personnel in our cities?” Matteo Renzi, opposition party leader Italia Viva and a former Prime Minister put forward this proposal by asking albanian prisoner Will be transported to facilities in Albania in Italy.
“The Albania migration deal is one of the biggest farces in our history,” he said, “It cost a billion euros, and it is providing a service.” dog shelter,