ROME (AP) – One of the eight migrants brought for processing at an Albanian facility after being caught in offshore waters has returned to Italy after being deemed “at risk,” a team of Italian activists and lawyers visited the facility Saturday.
An Egyptian man was diagnosed with “psychological problems,” which prevented him from staying at the reception center in Gjadër, one of the activists said. Currently only seven immigrants – five from Bangladesh and two from Egypt – remain in the Albanian facility.
The group represents the second transfer of migrants since the two processing centers began operating in October under an agreement signed between Italy and Albania. Human rights organizations and non-governmental organizations working in the Mediterranean have criticized the agreement as a dangerous precedent that conflicts with international law.
The agreement allows up to 3,000 migrants apprehended by the Italian coast guard in international waters each month to be granted asylum in Albania, and examined for asylum in Italy or repatriation.
Italy has agreed to accept those migrants who have been granted asylum, while those whose applications are rejected face deportation to Albania.
The first group of 16 migrants from Bangladesh and Egypt were transferred to Albania on Oct. 16. Four were taken to Italy on the same day because they were children or had health problems. Another 12 were returned to Italy three days later, following a decision by Rome judges to refuse their arrest because their countries of origin were not safe enough for them to be sent back.
The court's decision shortened the list of countries considered “safe” by law, meaning that Rome could repatriate migrants from those countries who did not receive asylum through a fast-track process. Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni criticized the decision, noting that considering countries like Bangladesh and Egypt as safe means that almost all migrants will be barred from the Albanian system.
On October 21, Italy's right-wing government approved a new decree aimed at overcoming those judicial obstacles that threatened to derail a tense five-year migration deal with Albania.
The decision of the judges in Rome regarding the arrest of the seven migrants currently in Albania is expected to be on Monday.
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