Activists Protest Arrival of Migrant Ship in Albania
A group of activists gathered for a protest on Wednesday as the inaugural Italian ship carrying migrants, intercepted in international waters, docked in the Balkan nation of Albania. The demonstrators assembled at the entrance of the Shengjin port, where one of the two migrant processing centers established by Italy is located. They unfurled a banner that boldly proclaimed, “The European dream ends here.”
One protester, Edison Lika, voiced his concerns, stating, “This is not the first time we have rallied against such an arrangement. Our opposition began the moment we learned of this deal.” He emphasized the human rights implications, asserting, “This agreement undermines human rights, particularly the rights of migrants. It lacks democratic legitimacy, as neither the Albanian nor the Italian populace has been consulted on this matter.”
Earlier that day, an Italian naval vessel arrived at the Albanian port of Shengjin, bringing with it the first group of 16 male migrants. This group included 10 individuals from Bangladesh and six from Egypt, who had been rescued at sea after departing from Libya, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the ministry.
Last week, Italy officially inaugurated two return hub centers in Albania, operating under Rome’s jurisdiction, where it plans to process thousands of asylum-seekers beyond its borders. According to the arrangement, only adult men will reside in these centers, while vulnerable individuals—including women, children, the elderly, and those suffering from illness or who are survivors of torture—will be accommodated in Italy. The arrangement ensures that families will not be separated.
The first center, located in Shengjin—approximately 66 kilometers northwest of Tirana, the Albanian capital—will serve as the initial screening facility for newcomers. The second center, situated about 22 kilometers east near the former military airport in Gjader, will house migrants during the processing of their asylum applications.
Under a five-year agreement signed last November by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her Albanian counterpart, Edi Rama, as many as 3,000 migrants, rescued by the Italian coast guard in international waters each month, will be sheltered in Albania.
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Italy has also committed to welcoming those migrants who are granted asylum. Conversely, individuals whose applications are denied may face immediate deportation from Albania.
This controversial agreement to transfer the responsibility of housing asylum seekers to a non-EU member state has garnered support from some nations, like Italy, that are grappling with a significant influx of refugees. However, it has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, who argue that it sets a troubling precedent.
Prime Minister Meloni and her right-wing coalition have long advocated for a more equitable distribution of the migration burden among European nations. The Albanian agreement has been presented by the Italian PM as an innovative solution to a persistent issue that has challenged the EU for years, despite a notable decrease in the number of individuals attempting to reach Europe via the central Mediterranean route from North Africa.
As of now, the number of migrant arrivals in Italy has plunged by 61% in 2024 compared to the previous year. According to the Italian Interior Ministry, approximately 54,129 migrants have arrived in Italy by sea this year, a significant drop from the 138,947 arrivals recorded by the same date last year.