EU Court Blocks Italy's Offshore Asylum Plan in Albania

The European Court of Justice has ruled that Italy's method for designating 'safe countries' violates EU law, delivering a major setback to Rome's plan to fast-track asylum seekers via Albania.

The court held that a country can only be deemed safe if it provides effective, widespread protection for all individuals. Italy must now revise its lists and publicly disclose evidence used, allowing asylum seekers to challenge decisions.

Legal Challenges to the Albania Model

Under the 2023 deal, migrants intercepted at sea would be sent to Albania for accelerated processing and, if refused asylum, removed within a week. So far, centers built have remained unused after lawyers intervened to return the few transferred migrants to Italy.

Broader Implications for EU Migration Policy

The ruling came as other governments eye offshore processing to curb irregular migration. It also precedes the new EU migration pact, which will adopt a common list of safe countries from next year.

Italy must align its safe country definition with EU standards, ensuring protections are effective, verifiable and open to legal challenge.

This topic was reported by BBC.

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