Italy has recently opened two return hub centres in Albania as part of its plan to process asylum-seekers outside its borders. This decision has sparked controversy and backlash from human rights campaigners.
The Italian government’s move to establish these centres under Rome’s jurisdiction has raised concerns about the treatment of migrants and their right to seek asylum. Critics argue that processing asylum-seekers in Albania could lead to violations of their rights and deprive them of legal protections guaranteed under international law.
The opening of the return hub centres is seen as a way for Italy to offload its responsibility for processing migrants and refugees, potentially leading to their return to Albania or other countries. This approach has been criticized for outsourcing asylum processing and potentially violating the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the return of individuals to countries where they may face persecution or harm.
Italian authorities defend the decision to open the return hub centres, stating that it is a way to manage the influx of asylum-seekers and address the challenges of migration. They argue that processing asylum claims outside of Italy can help streamline the asylum system and prevent abuse of the system.
However, human rights campaigners remain skeptical of Italy’s motives and express concerns about the implications of processing asylum-seekers in Albania. They argue that this approach could undermine the rights of migrants and refugees and create a dangerous precedent for other countries to follow.
As the controversy surrounding the return hub centres continues to grow, it remains to be seen how Italy will address the criticisms and ensure the protection of asylum-seekers’ rights.
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