Italy sends 49 refugees to Albania in bid to resume disputed scheme
GuardianJAN 21
Italy Resumes Migrant Transfers to Albania
Above: Migrants disembark after a ship arrived at the Albanian port of Shengjin on Jan. 28, 2025, as Italy resumes the transfer of asylum seekers to its maritime neighbor after a months-long pause. Image copyright: Adnan Beci/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Left narrative
Judges in Italy have already ruled against this plan, but the Meloni government keeps trying to deprive migrants from their right to asylum. It's unacceptable that Rome treats vulnerable and innocent people fleeing war and misery like that while protecting powerful people such as Libya war criminal Ossama al-Masri.
Right narrative
Despite the opposition of leftist judges and politicians, the migrant processing centers in Albania are a pragmatic solution to protect borders and manage immigration effectively to deter human trafficking and discourage dangerous sea crossings. Hopefully, this plan will be successful and set a model for other European nations.