ROME — Italy transferred its first group of 16 migrants to a camp in Albania on Tuesday, marking the start of a controversial new policy aimed at reducing illegal migration into Europe.
The Italian Navy will transport ten Bangladeshi and six Egyptian nationals to the facility in Albania, a move that has raised concerns among human rights advocates about the increasing militarization of Europe’s borders. Italy has established two migrant reception centers in Albania to process migrants and deter unauthorized entries into the European Union.
Last year, 56,588 migrants arrived in Italy by sea. Under an agreement between Italy and Albania, up to 36,000 migrants will be sent annually to these Albanian reception centers. This policy is part of Italy’s broader efforts to manage migration flows and address the pressures on its immigration system, but it has drawn criticism from activists who argue it may violate migrants’ rights and expose them to additional risks.
